Bosnia-Herzegovina (B&H) is one of the Western Balkan countries experiencing the migrant influx from the Middle East to Europe. This situation has raised concern among B&H’s politicians, arguing that the migrants on their way to Western Europe might demographically change the B&H population if they settle in the country. However, what should have raised the alarm among B&H politicians is the continuous emigration caused by the years of their irresponsible political decisions. Thus, to bring back hope and prosperity to its citizens, B&H politicians of all ethno-nationalistic sides should agree to a functional state free from political, social, religious, and other forms of discrimination.
Some 15,000 migrants arrived at B&H in 2020, with a small percentage of them seeking and receiving asylum. As there may be millions of migrants heading towards Europe in the future, not many might prefer to end their journey by becoming citizens of B&H. In case of a high number of asylum requests, B&H politicians could impose more rigorous asylum procedures preventing potential B&H populations’ demographical change – irregular immigrants soon would realize they are much better off if they leave the country. However, B&H politicians cannot use the same approach in preventing B&H citizens from becoming immigrants to socially stable and economically more vital countries in Western Europe, leaving the country depopulated. As projected, by 2050, the B&H population will reduce to some 2,5 million people, making it half of the size it was in 1990. Therefore, for decades, emigration from rather than immigration to B&H has been the country’s critical problem.
For years, either as refugees or high-skilled emigrants, B&H citizens have been leaving the country for good, frustrated by the socio-political situation left after the three-decades-old conflict. However, B&H politicians could have reversed this trend if they agreed to a functional state based on the European Union’s core values: respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality, and the rule of law. B&H could continue to exist on the Dayton Peace Agreement pillars if the B&H politicians of all ethno-nationalistic sides genuinely incorporate the EU core values into both entities of B&H, the Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They could start by implementing the European Court of Human Rights decision in Sejdić and Finci v. Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing the equality of B&H citizens irrespective of their ethnicity. Furthermore, socio-economic reforms should be on top of their agenda instead of endless, nonconstructive disputes about the B&H historical grievances.
B&H citizens are inclined to a much better political, social, and economic situation in the country. However, to earn it, they will have to become more involved through social and political activism – the international community could help by offering financial and educational support in achieving this goal. This approach would stop B&H depopulation and would furthermore minimize any chances for B&H populations’ demographical change. Otherwise, the new generations will follow the old generation’s steps and leave the country, ironically proving the present-day politician’s fear of B&H becoming other men’s land.