JMBG: A Babylution

JMBG stands for "Jedinstveni Matični Broj Građana".  In English, it translates to Unique Master Citizen Number.  the JMBG is a unique number assigned to every citizen of the former Yugoslavia, except to the citizens of Croatia (they use a slightly different system). 

Over the past month or so, there has been a new movement sweeping Bosnia & Herzegovina ("BiH) and Serbia, and it has a hashtag believe it or not...#JMBG.  What is likely the biggest post-war issue to date, the controversy is that babies born in BiH are not being assigned ID numbers (JMBG numbers).  The reasoning behind this is, of course, a political one.  This problem is a result of an on-going dispute between Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian MP's regarding a draft law on the personal identification numbers.  At the heard of the issue, is that certain MP's would like to have different types of JMBG's assigned to Bosnians and a different type assigned to Serbians.  The law regarding the JMBG expired in February, 2013, and the parliamentarians have been having a difficult time re-newing the legislation.  As a result, the Bosnia's Constitutional Court is preventing any numbers from being issued to new-born babies until the dispute is settled.  

Due to new-borns not being assigned a JMBG, they are unable to obtain important, and at times necessary, documentation like passports.  What set this entire movement in motion is a little girl named Belmina Ibrisevic.  Shortly after baby Belmina was born, it was determined that she required a life-saving surgery.  However, she would have to travel to Germany for the procedure.  Since she did not have a JMBG, she could not obtain a passport; and as a result would not be able to receive this life-saving procedure.   

While this movement could easily divide the entire country, it has actually brought people together, which warms my heart to see.  This picture, which has been widely circulated on the internet, is a perfect example of this unity.

" Neither Serb, Croat, nor Bosniak.  Human Beings First"

While this movement is gaining momentum on Twitter, Facebook and on international media, many Serbian and Bosnian celebrities are supporting the JMBG and have voiced their hurt and disgust with what is happening.

It breaks my heart that baby Belmina had to lose her battle for this issue to become important.  Hopefully, the parliament will agree on a law regarding the JMBG sooner rather than later, before any more innocent lives are lost.  I am not taking any sides on this issue, politically; rather, I am taking the humanity side of this controversy.  No innocent child should pay the ultimate price. 

**In Memory of Belmina Ibrisevic, an angle.**