The Islamic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses deep concern over public speculation regarding the election of a new High Representative and the possible limitation of the mandate of the Office of the High Representative (OHR).
“The impression in the public that domestic political and social actors are not sufficiently involved in this process and that it is managed by behind-the-scenes lobbyist circles is of particular concern. The non-transparent management of the process of electing a high representative, which gives the impression that it is the result of unprincipled compromises, undermines the interests of peace, stability and building trust,” says the statement of the Rijaset of the Islamic Community.
It was emphasized that the new high representative must be a person who will put the interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its peoples and citizens first.
“In these moments of uncertainty that are ruling Europe after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it is of crucial importance that the election of a new high representative is carried out in the same way and with the same powers as before. This election is not an exclusively political issue, but concerns all segments of Bosnian society, including religious communities that are committed to building peace and inter-national trust. Any decision that would call into question the progress made so far in preserving peace and building state institutions is a danger that everyone is obliged to face. to warn,” the statement said.
At the moment when the secession of the entity Republika Srpska is publicly announced and when the intentions to redraw the borders are no longer hidden, it must not be allowed to reduce the authority of the institution of the high representative.
For this reason, Rijaset states in a statement, the new high representative must have the same mandate and support from the members of the Steering Committee for Peace Implementation (PIC) and the international community as his predecessors.
It is estimated that any reduction of his mandate, relocation of the seat or time limit will encourage secessionists and those who do not hide that their goal is to prove that a sovereign, democratic and integral Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot function.
“The closure of the Office of the High Representative must follow only as evidence of the successful implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, i.e. when all fears of the collapse of state institutions, the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, and the return to violence have been removed. This goal is partially defined through the conditions known as ‘5+2’. Those who advocate the closure of the OHR or the limitation of its mandate should have done everything to fulfill these conditions. The premature closure or limitation of the OHR’s mandate represents a serious threat to stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and such a hasty decision would endanger both security and economic development,” it is stated.
They concluded that everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina would be happiest if domestic political actors could take responsibility for the future of the country themselves.
“However, this is not possible as long as there are active policies that do not hide the fact that their goal is the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the sowing of discord and hatred among its peoples, and the creation of political entities dominated by only one people. The last obstacle to such intentions is precisely the Office of the High Representative and the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Making concessions to such policies not only did not contribute to the normalization of circumstances, but kept them alive to the extent that even thirty years after the war, we are faced with attempts to defeat the goals of the war, which could not be achieved by force, can now be achieved by lobbying and selling off natural resources,” says Rijaset’s press release.
Finally, the Islamic community calls on PIC members, international partners and domestic political actors to show full responsibility in this process.
“Peace, stability and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina must not be the subject of lobbying, trade or experimentation,” the statement concluded.
