Džaferović's statement is undemocratic, violates the spirit of SDA and Alija Izetbegović's policy!

The statement by Šefik Džaferović, Vice-President of SDA, in which he assessed the candidacy of Dr. Mustafa Cerić as a danger to the position of the Bosniak member of the BiH Presidency, to the institution of the reisu-l-ulema and to the Bosniak people, is dangerously undemocratic with a flagrant note of violation of basic human rights, announced today the Press Service of Dr. Cerić's Election Headquarters, reports the BiH news agency Patria (NAP)

- In principle, we do not comment on irresponsible statements by individuals, but this one deserves a response. To assess the gravity of Džaferović's political and moral downfall, we would need to know in what capacity Džaferović made that statement – stated the election headquarters of the independent candidate.

If, as they say, he made the statement as one of the eight vice-presidents of SDA, then it should probably be the political and moral stance of SDA.

- However, as far as we know, SDA has no decision to declare any Bosniak dangerous in its name for using their democratic right to choose and be chosen, especially not someone who has proven through their life and work to be the pride of Bosniaks. As far as we know, SDA has no decision to attack possible Bosniak candidates for the BiH Presidency. As one of the founders of SDA, Dr. Mustafa Cerić knows that strategic decisions, conclusions and positions of the SDA party are made at the highest party bodies, such as the Main Board and the Congress – it was stated.

Even if Džaferović, as they point out, were to check his position with the Main Board and the Congress, we believe that the conscientious and responsible membership of SDA would not support his undemocratic stance.

- Not only because he is a Bosniak who held the honorable position of reisu-l-ulema, but also because it is not in the spirit of the SDA tradition founded and shaped by the late Alija Izetbegović. Therefore, we think that Džaferović has flagrantly violated the spirit of SDA, which the late Alija built and instilled in all people with a sense of spirituality, morality and responsibility for public discourse. The late Alija never dealt with his political opponents and competitors in this way, as Šefik Džaferović is doing now – said the press service of Dr. Cerić.

Furthermore, if Džaferović made the statement in his capacity as a long-time member of the BiH Parliament, then he has “probably decided to give up his highly paid position on the upcoming election lists, after almost a decade of parliamentary “service”, to young people with fresher ideas and more effective actions, who want, know and can unblock the long-standing parliamentary blockades in which Džaferović has participated for almost a decade.”

- Džaferović's statement does not resemble that of an honorable member of the BiH Parliament, but rather a lower-ranking party official fighting for his (un)deserved place within the party's struggle for survival. And finally, if Džaferović made the statement in his private capacity, as a free agent, then it is best for him to wait and check his opinion in the upcoming elections so that we can see what the Bosniaks will say about Džaferović's inappropriate and unprovoked statement – it was stated, reports NAP.

The Press Service of Dr. Cerić's Election Headquarters calls on all candidates for members of the BiH Presidency, all political entities, not to use radical rhetoric, harsh words, slander and belittling of anyone, “as the SDA member Šefik Džaferović has started to use”.

- We expect that in a fair and correct competition, we will all together contribute to the upcoming campaign and elections taking place in the spirit of the interests of all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is stated in the statement of the Press Service of the Election Headquarters of the candidate for the Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Mustafa Cerić, reports Patria.