Patriots will be on their feet as long as there is even a fraction of deniers of our homeland

By: Enver Išerić, Doctor of Law and member of NES BiH

Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, unlike those in power, are aware of the significance of March 1st, Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This year, Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates 32 years of renewed independence, a decision made by its citizens in a referendum held on February 29th and March 1st, 1992.

At that time, the citizens of our country made a fateful decision and opted for a sovereign and independent Bosnia and Herzegovina, a state of equal citizens, the peoples of BiH - Muslims, Serbs, Croats, and members of other nations living there.

Our neighbors - Serbia and Croatia - did not agree with the citizens' decision expressed in the referendum, and aggressive military operations against our country began immediately afterward with the aim of its final division.

However, the best sons of our country were determined to stand behind the decision of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and defend our country from attacks. And they defended it.

They had no doubts about it. Many of them gave their lives in the fighting. The mothers and fathers of our heroes watched their sons go to the front lines with fear but also pride.

Many of them gave five and six sons in the battles for our freedom and the independence of our country. Therefore, this generation of our mothers and fathers can be given the highest worldly recognition for the results achieved in the field of upbringing and patriotic education.

Such results are a thorn in the side of our country's enemies. That is why they cannot come to terms with the fact that Bosnia was defended as an independent and sovereign state. That is why they cannot and will not celebrate the legal holidays of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Išerić: The best sons defended our homeland

They claim that the law on holidays was not passed in the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the laws declaring March 1st as Independence Day of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and November 25th as Statehood Day of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina were passed by the Assembly of the Republic of BiH at a session held on February 28, 1995.

The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its Decision U 18/16 and U 22/16, rejected as unfounded the request of 30 deputies of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska for an assessment of the constitutionality of the Law on Declaring March 1st as Independence Day of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in that Decision of the Constitutional Court, it was determined "that the Law on Declaring March 1st as Independence Day of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is in accordance with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina".

And these holidays of our country - Statehood Day and Independence Day - are continuously marked and celebrated by its patriots and best sons.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to point out certain inconsistencies and omissions by those who represent us in the institutions of power in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The institutions of our country (Presidency) should establish the program, i.e., the protocol for marking these most important holidays of our country. This protocol should define one location where flowers will be laid and tribute paid to the martyrs and fallen soldiers, and an academy held on the occasion of marking these dates.

All holders of legislative, executive, and judicial power of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its entities must be present at these locations/events.

The absence from the reception on the occasion of marking Independence Day, organized by members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Željko Komšić and Denis Bećirović, members of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and members of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is unacceptable and an expression of disrespect for the state and its holidays.

Not only were the authorities from the Serb and Croat peoples absent from this reception, but many holders of the highest state positions from the Bosniak people also had more pressing matters.

It is illogical and unacceptable that the program for marking the state holiday is determined by the Canton of Sarajevo.

Cantons, cities, and municipalities should adopt their own marking programs by designating central places or locations where they will pay tribute to our best sons, who gave their lives for the foundations of our country, hold ceremonial academies, and conduct history lessons in primary and secondary schools.

The program for marking and celebrating these holidays must avoid any overlap of marking dates at different levels of government.

In addition, and no less importantly, is the issue of placing state flags in public places during the marking of state holidays. It is evident that flags are often placed incorrectly, which is a completely irresponsible behavior of state officials.

It can't be that difficult for you to see how flags are correctly placed on the building of the Presidency and the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The city center of Sarajevo decorated with numerous BiH flags (Photo: Patria)

Gentlemen parliamentarians, ministers, and holders of judicial functions, these are the holidays of our country in which and for which you work and earn your salaries.

Respect this country, its laws, and the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Leave your personal egos and disagreements at home.

Members of the Presidency, as heads of our state, must be respected, and their invitations to mark the most important state holiday must be answered. There is no room for your free assessment and your free will. It is simply your obligation.

And as long as you behave so irresponsibly towards Independence Day and Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, you stand shoulder to shoulder with those who deny Bosnia and Herzegovina and its holidays.

And patriots will be on their feet as long as there is even a negligible, fractionally expressed number of deniers of our state.