BiH a common and indivisible homeland: Back in 1944, a declaration on the rights of citizens in BiH was adopted

On this day, July 1, 1944, at the second session of ZAVNOBiH, which began on June 30 and ended on July 2, 1944, in Sanski Most, a declaration on the rights of citizens in BiH was adopted.

The declaration states, among other things: “In the flames of a just liberation war, the brotherhood of Serbs, Muslims, and Croats is being forged, and thus a solid foundation is being laid for a free and fraternal BiH, an equal federal unit in the Democratic Federal Yugoslavia.

For the first time in history, Serbs, Muslims, and Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina, united in the People's Liberation Movement, have embarked on the same path, begun to build their common home, into whose foundations the bones of their best sons have been laid. For the first time in history, they have become the forgers of their own destiny, firmly determined to bury once and for all the centuries-old dark and difficult past and to build a state community in which they will live in equality, freedom, peace, and prosperity."

Embodied in the people's liberation committees and ZAVNOBiH, it guarantees:

- Equality of Serbs, Muslims, and Croats of BiH, which is their common and indivisible homeland;

- Freedom of religion and conscience, as well as equality of all religions;

- Freedom of assembly and agreement, association, and the press;

- Personal and property security of citizens, as well as freedom of private initiative in economic life;

- Equality of women with men, both in the political life of the country and in all areas of social activity;

- The right to vote in democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina will be exercised by voters through secret ballot based on universal, equal, and direct suffrage;

- Every male and female citizen who has reached the age of 18 and has not been deprived of this right by law has active and passive suffrage;

- Fighters of the People's Liberation Army and partisan detachments of Yugoslavia have this right regardless of age;

- Every citizen is guaranteed the right to appeal against decisions of government bodies, as well as the right to petition and complain to all state authorities;

- No one can be convicted without prior judicial proceedings.

It should be noted that a total of three sessions of ZAVNOBiH were held: the first in Mrkonjić Grad on November 25, 1943 (now the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina), the second in Sanski Most on June 30, 1944, and the third and last in Sarajevo on April 26, 1945.