Declaration of the 'All-Serbian Assembly' is a threat to regional peace, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of BiH

(Patria) - A scientific conference titled "Instrumentalization and Politicization of National Rights: The Declaration of the 'All-Serbian Assembly' as a Continuity of Great-State Politics" was opened tonight in the Ceremonial Hall of the Rectorate of the University of Sarajevo, organized by the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law.

This Declaration represents a continuity of the Greater Serbian ideology and politics that does not recognize the independence and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina.



The institutionalization of the concept of the "Serbian world" is aimed at creating a homogeneous space through identity homogenization, with symbolic, cultural and educational elements playing a key role, as well as the energy and transport sectors, where through institutional and infrastructural connectivity, an attempt is made to further homogenize the space of Serbia and the smaller Bosnian entity, Republika Srpska.

Addressing those present, the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović said that today's scientific conference with an unambiguous title has special substantive value.

- Your work today further emphasizes an extremely important and still current topic that has marked the social reality of the Yugoslav space with a special burden over the past decades, and which, unfortunately, today again evidently demonstrates its goals, and once again crudely, without regard for the consequences of what is said and the weight of the written word, brings new unrest into the already complex Bosnian and Balkan realities.



At the same time, the very character of today's gathering clearly shows that the dimension of the academic community's activity must be proactive and unequivocally demonstrate our responsibility to contribute, through scientific analyses and research, to understanding and addressing the exceptional challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina and our society.

By organizing today's conference, as well as many other scientific conferences, and through its scientific research work, the important role of the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law of the University of Sarajevo in scientific, as well as overall social activity, is once again confirmed - said Zaimović.

The Director of the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law, Dr. Muamer Džananović, in his introductory address, spoke about the reasons for organizing the gathering on this day and the numerous aspects of the Declaration of the "All-Serbian Assembly" itself.

- The Declaration of the "All-Serbian Assembly", which includes common goals and activities of Serbia and the Bosnian entity Republika Srpska, with the RS acting as an autonomous subject in international matters, represents a serious blow to the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its status as an internationally recognized state.



Ignoring the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina represents an additional threat to the rule of law, thereby destabilizing the legal framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Such documents and their implementation not only undermine the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also threaten its sovereignty, thereby directly violating the foundation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and creating a serious legal challenge for the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the international community - said Džananović.

The final words in the introductory addresses were given by Dr. Sc. Alija Kožljak, advisor to the member of the Presidency, Denis Bećirović.

- At first glance, the Declaration of the "All-Serbian Assembly" is presented as an act of national unity. However, it is clearly dominated by elements that reflect the continuity of great-state ambitions.

In this way, it lays the foundations for political pressures, territorial pretensions and the shaping of narratives that can destabilize the entire region. Therefore, declarations like this reflect not only the past, but also the continuity of great-state ideas, which have already led to genocide and other tragic consequences in Bosnia and Herzegovina.



In addition to analyses, a responsible approach is also necessary from all those working on preserving the sovereignty and territorial identity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Declaration is not an ordinary destructive act, but a dangerous great-state programmatic document that threatens the Dayton Peace Agreement and the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This Declaration is a threat to regional peace, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina - said Kožljak.



The introductory speakers were: Prof. Dr. Sead Turčalo, who spoke about the geopolitical concept of the Serbian world; Prof. Dr. Šaćir Filandra, who touched on the topic of Serbian nationalism; and Mr. iur. Harun Išerić, who concluded the introductory addresses by speaking about the legal consequences and administrative practices in the entity of Republika Srpska.



At the conference, more than thirty researchers will present their papers from various scientific segments, which will be published in a proceedings volume.