(Jewish Group) In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jews are barred from political positions of power.

[Behind the Aegis]

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jews are barred from political positions of power. A potential law could deepen divides.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (JTA) — Thousands of people gathered outside the gates of the Office of the High Representative in Sarajevo on Monday night, shouting slogans like “you will not divide us” between chants of “Bosna, Bosna, Bosna” to an office whose European and American staff had likely already checked out for the night.

They waved the blue flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose prominent yellow triangle represents its three constituent ethnic groups.

They were protesting news leaked last week, which shows that the Office of the High Representative, or OHR, will use its powers to impose a new electoral system in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina — one that protesters say will favor nationalist parties and further shun minority groups.

Among those particularly concerned about the changes is the country’s small Jewish community, whose leaders have been fighting against inequality in the country’s electoral system for over a decade. If implemented, the changes would come just months before Bosnians are set to head to the polls in October.

more...