How do we fight for the state and the people 31 years after the death of hero Safet Zajko?

Written by: Muamer Bandić, member of the Presidency of the Party for BiH and representative in the Assembly of the Sarajevo Canton

Safet Zajko 17.6.1993. - 17.6.2024., HERO of the defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina



If there is a person who embodies the struggle of our people for survival, freedom and the state, a person who reflects the true character of our Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, then it is Safet Zajko. The late Safet was a hardworking, pleasant and quite ordinary man. A man who loved his family, his neighbours, his friends, his soldiers and his country.

That great love is reflected in one of his statements: "it is an honour even to die, for such a cause one can sacrifice one's life."

Such people defended the state and built our Army. From nothing and with nothing, but built from steel will, courage and determination to stop the aggressor. In doing so, they did not hesitate to sacrifice themselves for the common good.

Where are the common interests and the struggle for the common good today in this broken and deeply divided society? Where are the social values that guided these knights? Do we appreciate the sacrifice that these people and their families made? Do we respect their families? Do we appreciate the freedom and human rights they secured for us?

Are we fighting for the equality of human rights for which they gave their lives?

Have we, in these 30 years of false peace, lost ourselves and our understanding of who we are, what we are and where we come from? Have we forgotten the late Safet and his comrades-in-arms Hadža Arslanija Šoka, Samir Petrović and many other heroes? Do we remember today Nusret Daut, the man who destroyed the first tank in Sarajevo? Are we afraid of the answers to these questions?

Ultimately, if we have forgotten everything that these brave knights fought and gave their lives for, we should ask ourselves whether we deserve a life better than the one we live?

Government through just laws, transparent work of institutions, and political participation ensures that society functions on the principles of justice and equality before the law. Have we, through the legal order, institutionalised justice, equality and democratic values that would develop and shape a fair society?

Will someone take responsibility as a key factor that helps build trust, justice and stability in society?

Remembrance in itself is a beautiful thing, but we must not forget that we also have an obligation towards these heroes of ours and their families. If it were not for them and their courage, we would not exist today.

We have a legacy to remember, to inherit the civilisational values that these people defended, for which they laid down their lives, and we have an obligation as a society to care for their families, as selflessly as they cared for us when it was hardest.

May they rest in eternal peace and glory.

Knights, thank you for the lesson in life!