Džaferović: We had a difficult year behind us, and challenges await us in 2022, but we will defend BiH

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Šefik Džaferović sent a New Year's greeting to the citizens of BiH.

"Dear citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina!

We had a difficult year behind us, in which we faced a whole series of crises, starting from the migrant crisis, at the end of last year and the very beginning of this year, then the pandemic, all the way to the political crisis that is still ongoing. The period ahead of us will be full of challenges, but I have no doubt about the readiness of people who love Bosnia and Herzegovina to stand up for its protection. It will require a lot of perseverance, diligent and hard work, but Bosnia and Herzegovina will survive and develop.

There is no stronger idea on this land than a whole and democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina, a state of equal citizens and peoples, a state that is obliged to guarantee equal rights to every person on every inch of its territory. We will remember this year for an epochal event, and that is the legal ban on denying war crimes and genocide, as well as glorifying war criminals. The effect of this event is not only in reducing the denial of genocide and glorification of war criminals, as one of the worst forms of hate speech. The effect of this law is also in instilling hope and showing that what seemed impossible to many is possible – that we are organizing Bosnia and Herzegovina according to civilizational standards.

Despite numerous challenges and difficulties, this year too, we were pleased with the successes of our athletes, artists, scientists, our young, capable and educated people in all fields. Each of these successes proves that we are a country of talented and hardworking people who know how to seize opportunities.

The absolute obligation of the state is to improve the atmosphere and ensure a society of equal opportunities, a society where quality and excellence will be valued, because that is the only way to build a future for new generations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I sincerely congratulate all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at home and in the diaspora, on the New Year 2022, with wishes for good health, happiness, and success," it is stated.