Reflections of the Convention Bosnia is Ours – Bosnian: Unity of the academic community, politics, and citizens in defense of BiH

(Patria) - The Circle 99 Association held its regular session today on the topic "Reflections of the Convention Bosnia is Ours – Bosnian!", with introductory speakers being Azra Zornić, appellant before the ECtHR and professor emeritus Enver Halilović.

Zornić pointed out that the Convention was held on July 4, the same date when the Day of the Fighters and the Independence Day of the USA are celebrated.

"I see some symbolism there that points to the beginning of a general struggle for the preservation of our Bosnian nation and our Bosnian Bosnia. By holding the Sarajevo Convention on that July 4, a new era began in the socio-political life of our homeland.

The significance of the Convention is also reflected in the fact that for the first time in recent history, a dialogue was established and a consensus was reached between the academic community, the non-governmental sector, and political parties on the issues of Bosnian nationality and the existence of Bosnian Bosnia.

The Convention Statement, which contains 9 points, precisely outlines the guidelines for future action not only for the signatories of the Statement but also for all patriotic forces in building and preserving the Bosnian nation and Bosnian Bosnia. For me, as a Bosnian woman whose focus of action is on eliminating the constitutional discrimination of Bosniaks – citizens, point 6 of the Statement is of exceptional importance, which reads:

"The Convention insists on the consistent implementation of all six judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, the abolition of all forms of discrimination on the territory of the entire country, placing the citizen as an individual at the focus of the constitutional-legal system, and strengthening the institutions of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is the path towards building a modern Bosnian nation – which is not in conflict with existing national identities and ethnic affiliations, but is inclusive of them".

The issue of constitutional discrimination is an issue that has been used as an instrument of political manipulation for more than a decade. Therefore, the issue of implementing the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, i.e., eliminating discrimination in the electoral process, should be separated from all other politically manipulated issues of constitutional reform, and the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be amended through a legal procedure in accordance with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

It is dangerous and unacceptable to equate nation and people, which is persistently done in Bosnia, as there is a persistent attempt to deny it the right to its own, distinct, Bosnian people as a political nation of citizens loyal to the Bosnian constitution and its laws. 

A national civic state is inclusive; all its equal citizens belong to it; it strives for the universalization of rights, but also for cultural and all other pluralism. In these, hitherto the most difficult circumstances our homeland has found itself in, the absence of some parliamentary parties that have failed to join this struggle for the Bosnian nation and state is significant.

Finally, I call on all political actors to unite on issues of vital national interest of the state and all its equal citizens, in drafting a final document of epochal importance for the survival of our only homeland.

Otherwise, I ask them what they intend to tell us by ignoring the will and desire of the citizens of Bosniaks and Herzegovinians, what is their message, of course, apart from the verbal one, in the struggle for the preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a whole, democratic, civic Bosnia and Herzegovina," Zornić stated.

Professor emeritus Enver Halilović stated that the strengthening of BiH's authorities is being called "Bosniak unitarism," which is inappropriate and indicates that Croatia assesses it as "Bosniak unitarism."

He said that Croatia's role in the aggression against BiH is shown by the Hague verdict against the six leaders of HZHB.

"The demand of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU) to secure a third entity for the Croatian people in BiH is worrying. We have an organized attack that comes not only from Serbia but also from HAZU and political circles that are trying to realize these positions in BiH.

There was a huge presence of Sarajevo citizens at the Convention, which gives us hope for further possibilities of such public engagement in the future. It is especially important to emphasize this unity of approach in the defense of BiH at this moment and in the future common engagement of the academic community, political structures in BiH, and broad sections of the citizenry," said Halilović.

The president of Circle 99, Adil Kulenović, invited all interested municipalities to contact Circle 99 to organize conventions in other local communities as well.