Žurnal in English
Michael Murphy exclusively for Žurnal: It would be unreasonable for Dodik to deceive President Trump
In an exclusive interview for Žurnal, the last U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Michael Murphy, discusses the motives behind the lifting of sanctions against Dodik and others; whether and to what extent this decision by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to remove the former President of Republika Srpska entity, his associates, and companies close to the regime from the sanctions list can be interpreted as a step backward in the stabilization of political circumstances in Bosnia and Herzegovina; what kind of U.S. policy toward Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Balkans can we expect; how the geostrategic interests of Russia and China may play out in the fate of the Balkan states; and what possible consequences this may have for internal political relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina...?
Žurnal in English
Presented Results of the Project “Effective Protection of and Rapid Support to Media”: Press Alert for the Safety of Journalists
The Association Centre for Media Development and Analysis (CRMA) and the Umbrella Association, at Europe House in Sarajevo, presented the pilot mobile application Press Alert, developed as part of the project “Effective Protection of and Rapid Support to Media.” The application, created by the company App Impact, was developed with the support of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Žurnal in English
CONSTRUCTION IN ČEKALUŠA CAN PROCEED EVEN WITHOUT A PERMIT: If You Don’t Want to Do It the Easy Way, We Can Do It the Hard Way!
The story is summarised as much as possible. It involves years of collecting numerous documents, lawsuits, complaints, and reports to the relevant authorities, who were only asked to issue all permits in accordance with regulations.
Žurnal in English
SARAJEVO CANTON HEALTH INSURANCE INSTITUTE: Maintenance of a Software System Worth 50 KM Costs 10,000 KM!
The Sarajevo Canton Health Insurance Institute procured a software system for the symbolic price of 50 KM. This would not raise concerns if, a year and a half later, a maintenance contract for the system had not been signed, amounting to 10,000 KM. The sole bidder in this tender was the same company that sold the software system for 50 KM. Similar examples highlight that, when it comes to IT tenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, active and fair competition often does not exist. Experts warn of multiple aspects of potential corrupt misuse in such practices.
Žurnal in English
CANTONAL COURT IN MOSTAR DECIDED: Adriatic Metals loses exploitation permit for Vareš Mine
On December 30, 2024, the Cantonal Court in Mostar issued a ruling annulling the underground exploitation permit granted to Adriatic Metals BH. The decision was based on concerns over the potential threat to the drinking water source that supplies the Municipality of Kakanj. The court’s reasoning stated that the critical question of whether underground exploitation would impact the Bukovica water intake, and the extent of that impact, was not adequately addressed. Additionally, the court found that the Federation Ministry had authorized exploitation at an unexamined and restricted site.
Žurnal in English
CHILDREN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAW: Juveniles Return to Crime Due to Lack of Family and Systemic Support
At the Educational-Correctional Facility in Orašje, 20 juveniles are currently residing due to a wide range of criminal offences, including murder, theft, robbery, and inflicting serious and minor bodily injuries. The residents of the facility have the opportunity to engage in sports, participate in sporting competitions within the institution, and attend various extracurricular activities. Experts in juvenile delinquency highlight that incomplete resocialisation is the most detrimental factor, often leading juveniles back to criminal behaviour. Additionally, the lack of family and systemic support exacerbates the problem.
Žurnal in English
WHAT LEGAL AMENDMENTS DO VICTIMS NEED: Suspended Sentences Do Not Affect Perpetrators
Is the ongoing presence of violence and cases of femicide the responsibility of the judiciary, society, a lack of prevention measures, or all of these combined?
Žurnal in English
CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOSPITAL AND MINERS’ SQUARE: The Citizens of Zenica Are Being Deceived by Both the Cantonal Prime Minister and the Mayor
It is possible that the sale of land at Trg Rudara (Miners’ Square) and all other locations with adopted controversial regulatory plans could be annulled through legal proceedings, holding everyone involved in the chain of unlawful decision-making accountable for the abuse of office and compensating investors for damages. However, this is a theory that is largely contradicted by practice.
Žurnal in English
General's untouchable son: Police, Prosecutors, and Lawyers have been protecting a brutal abuser for years
Since 2021 A. H. has been convicted three times for causing bodily harm to her and others (both minor and serious bodily injuries). He has also been convicted for physically attacking a police escort patrol. He was sentenced to probation twice, and for the attack on officials – police patrol, he received a one-year prison sentence, which was later replaced with community service while remaining at liberty.
Žurnal in English
THE LIFE OF ONCOLOGY PATIENTS IN ZDC: Long Waiting Lists, Expensive Private Examinations, and the Inability to Reimburse Costs
Patients at the Oncology Department of the Zenica Cantonal Hospital have been facing poor conditions for years, including overcrowded waiting rooms, lack of equipment and staff, and excessively long waiting lists, all of which hinder their treatment. Although, according to the authorities, funds for the construction of a new Oncology Department have been approved, the project remains stalled due to property-legal issues. Essentially, the root cause lies in inter-party conflicts. The SNOP Association of Oncology Patients highlights the issue of waiting lists as a primary concern, especially for MRI and CT scans.
Žurnal in English
CRIME ON BJELAŠNICA: Who is Afraid of the Investigation into the Illegal Sale of State Land?
The list of suspects could be expanded to include additional names of directors, as well as politicians from both the former and current governments in the Sarajevo Canton by the time the investigation concludes. This comes as no surprise, given that during the detention hearings, politicians with whom Ibro Berilo held meetings were mentioned—meetings that took place in the headquarters of certain political parties as well as with directors of public enterprises. All of this was allegedly aimed at facilitating illegal expropriation.
Žurnal in English
NEW DUMP NEAR LUKAVAC: How Much Poison Can Residents Endure?
The announcement by Elektroprivreda BiH to dispose of waste from the Tuzla Thermal Power Plant in the Lukavac municipality has sparked outrage among residents and local authorities. The local government demands a halt to this proposal, while citizens warn that the planned site for the dump contains numerous sources of not only drinking water but also thermal and mineral springs. EPBiH states that they are not creating a new dump but are technically reclaiming degraded areas, arguing that there are no justified reasons to abandon this proposal.
Žurnal in English
AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE IN BANKRUPTCY FOR 21 YEARS: Criminal Charges Filed Against the Government of Brčko District BiH
Several years ago, the Brčko District of BiH registered the agricultural cooperative "Ratar" Brka as its property. As a result, the Agricultural Cooperative "Brka" Brčko, recognised as a creditor of "Ratar", lost its property rights. They have filed criminal complaints and have spent years attempting to prove that they lost "Ratar" due to a falsified decision and that all legal proceedings were manipulated. The Office for Public Property Management points to court rulings that have ruled against the Cooperative.
Žurnal in English
WHO STOPPED THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE OPERATIONS OF IRB RS: Loans, Credits, and Advances to Privileged Companies Lost Forever!
Who were the beneficiaries of IRB loans, how much money was allocated for this purpose, under what conditions, and how much of the approved loans (both principal and interest) have been repaid? The public will likely never fully know the answers. Yet, the funds distributed generously to privileged companies were public money belonging to all citizens of the RS.
Žurnal in English
REMEMBER THIS YEAR AND THE NEXT: Russia Will Lose Its Political Satellites in the Balkans
The fact that the European Union is aware of Russia's malign influence in the Balkans is evident from the statement made by Ondrej Kolar, a Czech representative in the European Parliament who will serve as the permanent rapporteur for Bosnia and Herzegovina for the next five years. In an interview with N1, Kolar stated that one of his objectives is to halt Russian actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Žurnal in English
WHY IS A NEW ZENICA HOSPITAL NOT BEING BUILT: Patients Suffer Due to Political Conflicts, Poor Conditions, and Waiting Lists
The Cantonal Hospital Zenica, located within a complex constructed back in 1959, is facing severe infrastructural problems, a lack of equipment, and the departure of medical staff. The planned construction of a new hospital is being delayed by property and legal disputes, as it has been ruled that the complex is owned by the City of Zenica. Meanwhile, patients continue to suffer due to long waiting lists and inadequate conditions.
Žurnal in English
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACED BY ACTIVISTS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA: SLAPP Lawsuits, Damage to Reputation, Threats, Physical Attacks…
The company "BUK" d.o.o. has filed three lawsuits against two members of the ACT Foundation and activists from the NGG "Stop the Construction of Small Hydropower Plants on the Kasindolska River". Amnesty International's analysis has classified these lawsuits as having the characteristics of so-called SLAPP lawsuits. The compensation claim against Sunčica Kovačević amounts to 5,000 BAM, while the total claim against Sara Tuševljak is 10,000 BAM. The total cost of expert evaluations conducted by the Centre for Expertise and Appraisals "Zenit" amounts to 14,973 BAM.
Žurnal in English
WATCH ŽURNAL’S MOVIE: FEMICIDE - Please help, he will kill me!
Nizama, Alma, Amra, Anđelka, Zorka, Emira, Nermina, Selma, Amela, Rada, Kada, Tahira, Mileva… are just some of the women who have been killed in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last few years. More than 60! All of these murders could have been characterized as femicide, with harsher sentences. But that crime does not exist. The current political structures, which could be described as patriarchal, reject such initiatives. Meanwhile, the grim statistics continue to rise.
Žurnal in English
WHO WILL BUILD ON THE FOUNDATIONS OF LAWLESSNESS: Zenica's Trg rudara (Miners' Square) as a Monument to Urbicide
A group of citizens organized under the name “Poret za preoktret” (Movement for Change) has filed criminal charges regarding unlawfully adopted regulatory plans: Trg rudara, the Business-Recreational-Tourist Zone Zenica-South, Center II, Crkvice, Trg Alija Izetbegović, and Kamberovića ravan i padina. These plans served as the basis for the issuance of numerous illegal construction permits.
Žurnal in English
CAN RITE UGLJEVIK SURVIVE: Capital Reduction as a Step Toward Privatization?
The situation at RiTE Ugljevik is alarming, not only because of significant financial losses and the burden of settling debts from arbitration rulings but also due to the deteriorating condition of the thermal power plant. A major overhaul of the plant should be conducted at least every five years, but the last overhaul of the 40-year-old Ugljevik plant was done in 2017. As we approach the end of 2024, the management of RiTE is considering postponing the next major overhaul until 2026!
Najnovije
DOSSIER SUTKINJA ADISA ZAHIRAGIĆ: Bjegunci, nekretnine i sporne presude
ZENIČKI RADNICI BEZ PODRŠKE MINISTRA: Zašto Ramo Isak šuti o navodnim nelegalnim poslovima u Novoj Željezari?
KREDITNI GAJTAN OKO VRATA GRAĐANA: Za pet mjeseci javni sektor u RS zadužen 2,7 milijardi KM
Udruženje Umbrella: Evropske vrijednosti zahtijevaju i evropsku podršku nezavisnim medijima
JAVNA RASPRAVA O VE GRADINA (VIDEO): Ugroženi stanovnici poručuju: prodali ste nas, slijede protesti