Circle 99: Epochal significance of the ruling, the path is now clear, there must be no retreat!

(Patria) - On the occasion of the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on the appeal of Slaven Kovačević, Circle 99 issued a statement highlighting the most significant aspects of the ruling, drawing attention to the century-long aspirations for European modernity of the majority Bosnian people, i.e., citizens, enlightened secular intelligence, and progressive political tribunes in the 20th and 21st centuries.

"Finally, the highest legal authority in Europe has legitimized, through the appeal of Slaven Kovačević, a member of Circle 99. The path is now clear, there must be no retreat! Prosperous Bosnia in modern Europe, a contemporary political system, civil rights, freedoms, and a potent civilization!

The obstacles, difficulties, and efforts that lie ahead are not comparable to a century of suffering, emigration, displacement, exile, and persecution, nor to wars and destruction, humiliation, and mimetic identity survival for the sake of remaining on one's native soil and state identity. The historical necessity of modern civilization will overcome hegemonic and expansionist matrices about the Bosnian state as a 'special case' in the world, a state without full sovereignty and fundamental freedoms of any national political community of citizens. Neither Plenković, nor Milanović, nor Vučić and Dačić, can stop the historically trapped state from becoming a prosperous Bosnian state of free people!

The increasing level of political enlightenment of the majority population about the values of liberal democracy and awareness of the devastating consequences of ethno-nationalism in the past and the possible future are reasons for the growth of civic self-confidence in the face of upcoming challenges and commitment to the final outcome – a modern Bosnian state. Political despondency and compromise are the path to historical defeat for transient actors in the struggle for Bosnian dignity and prosperity.

The ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on the Appeal, due to the political and scientific rigor, persistence, and courage of Slaven Kovačević in the name and interest of all citizens of BiH, has epochal significance. Finally, a turning point has been outlined from conflictual ethnocracy, divisions, and monolithic thinking, destructive 'legitimate ethnic representation,' the totalitarian concept of constitutionality, 'sovereignty of national groups' at the expense of the state and key holders of sovereignty, owners, and original holders of political will, and inalienable political rights possessed by every individual – citizen.

The reaffirmation of the active voting right of every person and a single electoral unit in the process of electing the highest state authorities will overcome the current state of tri-authoritarian closed social groups, the scourge of ethno-nationalism, mythology, and deception, historical revisionism, suspicion, and the targeted production of ethnic conflicts.

The implementation of the ECtHR ruling will create real preconditions for the factual opening of the EU integration process, realistic and genuine reconciliation policy, the return of trust, an inclusive society, and social cohesion. A system built on ECtHR rulings will have economic benefits through a truly integrated market and an equal market position and potential for economic entities in all parts of the country. Corruption, nepotism, and discrimination are embedded in the existing ethnocratic system, which will be rejected.

The resistance to the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights ruling, most pronounced among ethnocratic elites and their servants, as well as the visible fear, panic, ignorance, and devaluation of the ruling, are not only a result of a lack of valid arguments but also of the collapse of Greater-state aspirations and achieved positions gained through a system of discrimination, unequal value of votes, and personal benefits. The best indicator of this is the pronounced use of the old method of argumentum ad hominem, 'against the person,' when rational reasons and facts are lacking, leaving only demonization and shameful defamation of the appellant.

Our public must learn to read this kind of slander, sometimes uttered by those who until recently did not have such a facade in public. Empty rhetoric from some international actors cannot hide the fact that the implementation of the ruling is being suppressed or will be subject to negotiations and compromises in the future. In their home countries, such actions would be a kind of casus belli against their own administration in defense of the principles of law and court decisions and rulings. It can be argued with reason that such statements are an attempt to avoid responsibility by witnesses to the Dayton Peace Agreement for the transformation of the unnatural and undemocratic system of BiH, established in circumstances of genocide and WSU (widespread organized crime), into a permanently sustainable civil order and peace in this part of the world.

The indications of threats from the signatories – parties to the war against BiH (Serbia and Croatia, and domestic political allies) – of a possible renewal of war due to the values outlined in the ECtHR ruling, are an additional reason for international solidarity and alliance, which is likely in the fight for a modern European and Bosnian civil state.

Marking the thirtieth anniversary of continuous work on values confirmed by the ECtHR ruling, Circle 99 is honored that the appellant, Dr. Slaven Kovačević, has been a member since the early days of its work and persistent activity. The increasingly widespread support confirms the living democratic potential of BiH, thereby ceasing the reasons for constant international lecturing about the lack of domestic civic voices, movements, and demands," states Circle 99.(