Džaferović: The state is the best framework for our security and freedom

(Patria) - Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović addressed the public on the occasion of November 25, the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, reminding that 78 years have passed since the State Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at its historic session in Mrkonjić-Grad, restored the statehood of our homeland.

As he said, this is a date of irreplaceable significance in Bosnian history because that day carries the most important possible messages when it comes to the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- Unfortunately, due to the worsened epidemiological situation, we are not in a position to organize the traditional ceremonial reception at the Presidency building of Bosnia and Herzegovina this year either. But, like every November 25 in the year, we must use this day to remind ourselves of the importance of Statehood Day and to strengthen awareness of the substantial importance of the state of BiH, as the best framework for our security and freedom - he added.

To understand the significance of ZAVNOBiH, it is always important to recall the circumstances in which it was held, Džaferović emphasized, as well as everything that preceded it in the difficult historical period before and during the Second World War.

ZAVNOBiH was held in the pivotal year of 1943. At that time, the Allied forces finally managed to stop the fascist offensive and turn the tide in their favor, and their advance gave hope to peoples around the world that they would defeat fascism and see the light of freedom.

In the same days when ZAVNOBiH was held, at the end of November 1943, the famous Tehran Conference was also held, where the leading Allied leaders gathered for the first time to discuss, among other things, the post-war order of Europe.

- One of the key decisions of that event was the recognition of the partisan forces, which ZAVNOBiH also represented, as the only anti-fascist army in that period in our region - he reminded.

This fact clearly shows that the restoration of BiH's statehood is closely linked to the overall struggle against fascism, and that sovereignty and territorial integrity were re-established by those forces that found themselves on the right side of history, on the side of civilization fighting for its survival against the onslaught of barbarism, he said.

He notes that another important context for understanding ZAVNOBiH is what happened to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period before November 25, 1943.

- From the division into banovinas in 1929, through the Cvetković-Maček Agreement, to the annexation of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the NDH, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina were destroyed. It was torn apart and divided between Belgrade and Zagreb. The right of its people to decide their own destiny was denied and withheld - he pointed out.

However, Džaferović emphasizes that ZAVNOBiH was a clear and decisive response from Bosnia and Herzegovina that it does not accept division and that it does not accept being divided between neighboring states. It was stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a complete and indivisible state, a natural geographical, political, and cultural whole.

- The second key message of ZAVNOBiH was the confirmation of the multi-ethnic and inclusive character of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through its centuries-long existence, Bosnia and Herzegovina has built itself as a state of all peoples and all people who live in it. The ZAVNOBiH Declaration underlined its multi-ethnic nature, with the famous formula that Bosnia and Herzegovina does not belong to any of its peoples individually, but to all equally. And that on every part of the Bosnian territory - underscored the member of the BiH Presidency.

He emphasized that this is a principle that will remain a fundamental principle of the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina to this day. No part of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the exclusive property of any people, but belongs to all equally.

The mentioned formula from the first session of ZAVNOBiH, which emphasizes that Bosnia and Herzegovina is both Bosniak, Serbian, and Croatian, was supplemented at the second session of ZAVNOBiH in Sanski Most.

At that time, the Declaration on the Rights of Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted. It underlined that people living in Bosnia and Herzegovina are not only members of peoples, but also citizens with their individual, civic rights, which are, in a political sense, a fundamental feature of the modern era.

- It is precisely this balance of the national and civic that will become the formula, thanks to which Bosnia and Herzegovina will develop as a modern state, which will gain independence in 1992 and become an internationally recognized state, a member of the United Nations - he said.

He added that it should never be forgotten that, precisely on the constitutional and institutional foundations of ZAVNOBiH, the referendum was held on March 1, 1992, and the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina was achieved.

Another epochal legacy of ZAVNOBiH is that it represented the first sovereign and independent institution of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina, after a very long period.

As the highest representative and legislative body in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ZAVNOBiH represents the institutional foundation on which the institutional structure of the modern state of Bosnia and Herzegovina would later be formed, he added.

- However, 26 years after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, which ended the war, and numerous reforms that reintegrated the institutional structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina damaged during the aggression, we are again witnessing attacks on the institutions of this state. Current threats and unilateral moves by the authorities of the Republika Srpska entity represent one of countless attempts to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the ultimate goal of secession. That will never succeed - he stated.

Therefore, says Džaferović, the basic message of today is to unreservedly preserve statehood, to preserve institutions, and to continue fighting for Bosnia and Herzegovina, in which all peoples and citizens will have equal rights, in every part of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- Numerous people in Bosnia and Herzegovina today cannot exercise their rights, here I primarily think of returnees and citizens who do not belong to the constituent peoples. Everyone must have equal rights and we must not give up until every person is equal on every inch of this state - Džaferović believes.

He says that the obligation towards the historical generation that carried out ZAVNOBiH is to continue building Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a democratic, modern, and functional state, a state that will have the strength to resist all challenges and achieve full membership in the European Union and NATO alliance.

- In that name, once again, I congratulate all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Statehood Day. May our homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, live forever - concluded the address on the occasion of November 25, Statehood Day, by the member of the BiH Presidency Šefik Džaferović.