The European Union proposed on July 15 to lift visa procedures for Western Balkan countries including Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia by the end of this year, but excluded Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Kosovo out of this process since they have not fulfilled required criteria. This move is seen by many in Bosnia in particular as “ghettoization” of the country, and specifically, of the Bosniak population.
The war in Bosnia in 1992-1995 resulted in a power-sharing agreement that divided the country into two entities and created a government that is supposed to have equal representation of all three constituting “peoples” - Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks. Now, how does this relate to the visa issue? Well, the neighboring countries of Serbia and Croatia have allowed those Serbs and Croats in Bosnia, to obtain dual citizenship. As a result, they will be able to benefit from the lift of the visa procedures by the European Union. Of course, this has raised a number of issues and has awakened the images of European inaction in the face of massacres against Bosniak population in the 90s. In addition, the consequences of the action are fueling the already simmering “ethnic” tensions that have not subsided since the war.
As a Bosnian with a Bosnian passport and permanent residency (green card) in the United States I know what obstacles Bosniaks face in moving across borders. First of all, you need a visa to go to ANY country, be it England, or Uganda! Recently, I was stopped in the Swiss customs in Geneva airport because I did not have the appropriate visa. I was stuck in the back of the airport, waiting like a prisoner on the decision whether I’ll be sent back on the same plane that brought me there. Fortunately, it was sorted out eventually.
And that was nothing compared to the humiliating experience of my last trip abroad to Oslo. I was in the airport ready to check in for my return flight. In the line was a customs representative who checked the passports, visas and generally did security checks of passengers. First of all, I had to show not only my visa to Norway, my passport and my green card, but also proof that i lived in Washington, DC. I was also interrogated about the purpose of my trip and why it was only five days.
And finally, to add insult to injury, I had to show her proof that I was in fact attending a workshop organized by the Red Cross in Oslo. In order to get her that information I had to open my suitcase in front of everyone around me, and dig for the invitation letter, which I of course packed on the bottom. Finally, I was released, but only after (on top of all the other documents) I showed them my health insurance card!?!
Such are the woes of the Bosnian passport holders. And considering the latest move by the EU, they’re bound to continue.
