Komšić at 30th Anniversary of Dayton: Correcting Discrimination Against Citizens is a Prerequisite for BiH's Progress

(Patria) - At a formal dinner of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, held on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić addressed the attendees, emphasizing the importance of preserving peace, respecting human rights, and the need for bold steps towards the democratic development of the country.

Address by member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić at the formal dinner of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement in Dayton, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force pic.twitter.com/mmB1UG9sd8

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Komšić emphasized that, in accordance with his office and the principles of BiH's foreign policy, he speaks exclusively in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its legal and constitutional obligations, without commenting on the internal affairs of other countries. He also stated that he expects an equal level of restraint and respect towards BiH from other participants of the gathering.

In a responsible tone, he recalled the significance of the venue, which holds deep historical meaning for Bosnia and Herzegovina. He thanked the United States of America, its government, and its people, for their continuous support to BiH – from 1995 to the present day.

“Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that knows how to appreciate the importance of peace. The vast majority of BiH citizens will do everything to preserve peace and ensure that future generations never experience the horrors my generation was exposed to,” Komšić stated, adding that “the gates of hell open easily, and close very difficultly – sometimes impossibly.”

Komšić warned that peace, a stable state, and society are not something that can be taken for granted, but rather values that require daily care, dedication, and struggle.

Speaking about the Dayton Peace Agreement, he stressed that it undoubtedly represents the foundation of peace and stability in BiH, but that after almost three decades, more difficult questions must be asked – above all, whether the current constitutional framework allows the country to move forward.

“I am not referring to the administrative organization of the country – because we know there is no consensus, and there will be none. I am primarily referring to the issue of human rights and the closely related rule of law,” Komšić emphasized.

He recalled that the European Court of Human Rights has ruled on multiple occasions that Bosnia and Herzegovina discriminates against its citizens based on identity, thereby violating fundamental human rights. He stressed that there is no acceptable justification for such injustice, and that correcting it does not threaten the Dayton Constitution, nor the structure of BiH.

“On the contrary, correcting that injustice is the fundamental condition – conditio sine qua non – for the further progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Komšić stated.

He warned that without confronting these issues, Bosnia and Herzegovina remains stuck in the past and its contradictory interpretations, without the capacity to turn towards the future.

At the end of his address, he thanked the organizers for the invitation and highlighted the importance of a joint discussion at a place with strong symbolic significance for Bosnia and Herzegovina.