Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates Statehood Day

(Patria) - Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates Statehood Day today. 80 years ago today, the first session of the National Anti-Fascist Council of the People's Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ZAVNOBiH) was held, which was the highest political, representative, and legislative body of the Federal State of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where decisions were made on the restoration of Bosnia and Herzegovina's statehood.

With the Resolution from the First Session of ZAVNOBiH, Serbs, Croats, and Muslims opted for the restoration of Bosnia and Herzegovina's statehood.

The first session was chaired by Dr. Vojo Kecmanović, and the deputies were Avdo Humo, Đuro Pucar Stari, Aleksandar Preha, and the secretary Hasan Brkić.

The first session of ZAVNOBiH began in Mrkonjić-Grad on November 25, 1943, at 7 PM. It concluded the same night (November 26) at 4 AM. ZAVNOBiH was established as the central political representation of the National Liberation Movement (NOP) and the highest body of people's authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The delegates adopted the ZAVNOBiH Resolution and the Proclamation to the Peoples of BiH, which emphasize that in the future, only ZAVNOBiH and AVNOJ can represent and present BiH and its peoples, both domestically and abroad.

These acts also expressed the determination of the people of BiH that their country, which is neither Serbian, nor Croatian, nor Muslim, but rather Serbian, Muslim, and Croatian, should be a brotherhood community in which full equality of all Serbs, Muslims, and Croats will be ensured. A delegation of 58 members was elected at the session, which will represent BiH at the Second Session of AVNOJ (November 29, 1943), where the decisions of ZAVNOBiH were confirmed.