The citizens’ association “Ne diskriminacija – ne mobing” organized a public discussion titled “Rally for the Right to Vote and Citizens’ Dignity” in Tuzla

The citizens’ association “Ne diskriminacija – ne mobing” gathered citizens of Tuzla on Friday, 20 February, at the premises of the Slatina Local Community to participate in a public discussion titled “Rally for the Right to Vote and Citizens’ Dignity.” The event aimed to clearly and responsibly express citizens’ position regarding the long-standing failure to hold elections for local community councils in the City of Tuzla.

“This rally demonstrated the willingness and readiness of Tuzla’s citizens to jointly demand the realization of their civic right to participate in decision-making. Through today’s gathering, we send a message to the wider community and public authorities that local communities must not be treated as a mere formality. They are the foundation of local democracy and a space where issues that directly affect citizens’ daily lives are discussed, from communal infrastructure to neighborhood safety. We believe that the right of citizens to elect and be elected is a cornerstone of any democratic system,” the organizers stated.
This event is only the first in a series of gatherings that will help shape concrete processes toward democratic local communities that serve citizens, by collecting their views and mobilizing the community through open dialogue.

“For 35 years, the citizens of Tuzla have not had the opportunity to elect or be elected to local community councils. This is neither a conflict nor an attack. It is a call for a responsible and evidence-based dialogue on how to make local communities transparent, democratic, and truly serve citizens,” it was emphasized at the gathering.
During the discussion, participants shared proposals and exchanged views on possible steps to enable elections in local communities and strengthen the role of local community councils. As concluded during the event, democracy does not begin in large institutions, but within the community—at the level of the local community as the closest level of citizen decision-making.