Canada: Mayor of Hamilton Congratulates on BiH Independence Day

The Mayor of Hamilton, Canada, Fred Eisenberger, congratulated March 1st, Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, via a city display, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

On the occasion of March 1st, Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a holiday that represents a pivotal historical moment for modern Bosnia and Herzegovina as it confirms its statehood, legal, political, and social existence and progress, at the proposal of the Institute for Research of Genocide, Canada, the Congress of North American Bosniaks, and BIC Hamilton, by decision of Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, the following was displayed on the large electronic billboard in front of the City Assembly building:

- Happy March 1st, Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The best gift for those who acknowledge the historical results of the 1992 referendum, for those who acknowledge the fact that Bosnia and Herzegovina was recognized as an independent state at that time, for those who feel honored by the historical fact that they belong to the generation of founders of an independent, free, sovereign state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has come from the Mayor of Hamilton, Fred Eisenberger, a great friend of Bosnia and Herzegovina. With his decision, he has sided with the independent, free, sovereign state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with truth and justice, with freedom and human rights.

This decision by the Mayor of Hamilton sends a strong message to those who continuously deny Bosnia and Herzegovina's Independence Day, those who pursue anti-Bosnia and Herzegovina policies. Independence Day was, is, and will forever remain a symbol of Bosnia and Herzegovina's statehood and social existence and progress. Whether celebrated or not, Bosnia and Herzegovina is an independent state that existed, exists, and will always exist as such. March 1st is a historical act and moment when Bosnia and Herzegovina democratically opted for the status of an independent and sovereign state and to enter its own development as such. Bosnia and Herzegovina has achieved its sovereignty and independence, and every well-intentioned person living in or outside Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot deny it. Bosnia and Herzegovina had the historical right to choose its state and social status. March 1st will remain a historical date because independence happens only once in a state's history. All who understand and live with this will celebrate it. Those who do not wish to will be left for time to disprove them. Generations will come who will see this quite differently.

In Canada, the Bosnian language has already been recognized as a World Heritage Language, "Bosniak" is used in statistical and other Canadian data, the Parliament of Canada has adopted two resolutions on the genocide in Srebrenica and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Canadian cities of Hamilton and Windsor have paid tribute to the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica, the Canadian government commemorates May 31st as World White Ribbon Day, the Government of Canada has requested the implementation of the decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the unconstitutionality of celebrating January 9th, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights houses a permanent exhibition on the genocide in Srebrenica.

On behalf of over 30,000 Canadian Bosniaks, especially on behalf of over 3,000 Bosniaks living in Hamilton and its surroundings, we thank the Mayor of Hamilton, Fred Eisenberger, and the member of the Hamilton City Executive Council, Maria Pearson, great friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for their continuous support of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.