BOSNIA FROM BAN KULIN TO THE CHALLENGES OF TODAY

The history of Bosnia is marked by the long-standing memory of Ban Kulin, who ruled
Bosnia from 1180 to 1204. The Charter of Ban Kulin (dated 28 August 1189) sent to Prince Krvash of
Dubrovnik is the first written trace of the Bosnian language ( a cultural fact), crafted in Bosnian Cyrillic or
“Bosancica” script. It is at the same time evidence of governance ( a political fact) on its specific
territory. The Charter embodies a legal-political, cultural, economic and national continuity that is today
called Bosnia.
Current Issues in Bosnia
American ‘peace’ in the Balkans is brought into question
The Dayton Peace Agreement halted the war in Bosnia, but at the same time it froze in place
its democratic development. Unfortunately, the political system of today that has emerged after the
Dayton Agreement perpetuates instability & conflict among the hegemonic policies that did not achieve
their objectives during the war. It is entirely clear that for three decades now there have been attempts
to create homogenous ethnic territories, which satisfy the fascistic tendencies of ethno-religious
oligarchies. In the post-war period in Bosnia there arose a “ system” that constantly encourages
instability, conflict, emphasis on ethnicity, insecurity, fundamentalism, antagonism and disorder, thus
disabling any kind of forward development and prosperity. What is the purpose of this? Bosnia has not
been liberated from the immoral fate carved out for it by hypocrites, fascists, politicians, nationalistic
barbarians & supercilious militia commanders. Why has Bosnia in the heart of Europe, been left to the
mercy of 2 dark Nazi-like forces as if it were a redoubt of a sick criminal enterprise where peace is
endangered? The Brussels bureaucracy has no response.
Self-Defence of Bosnian Society – Bosnian Social Cohesion is Under Attack
It is absolutely necessary to discuss the self-defence of Bosnian society. This self-defence
must be united & must embrace economic, security, diplomatic, educational & legal-political aspects of
action. An openly aggressive assault on Bosnian society has been ongoing for 3 decades already & is
conducted through the clear aggression of the neighbouring States of Serbia & Croatia. On the basis of
professed concern about Bosnian Serbs & Bosnian Croats, these 2 States intervene in the internal
affairs of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Today we cannot abandon the principle of individual freedom & the
right of the individual to be free. This implies a struggle for a society of free individuals in contrast to a
dictatorship of collectivist ideology.
The Struggle Between Democracy & Ethnic-based Governance
The open conflict between political models & interests in Bosnia & Herzegovina is having
catastrophic consequences for Bosnian society. The myths of ethno-religious nationalism & the
glorifying of the so-called “will of the people,” as if that is something that endures forever, does not
leave much space for the establishing of differing political ideas. Democracy does not countenance the
selection of a tribal leader, the “pastor” of a retarded flock, the so-called “legitimate representative of
the people,” of the “constituent” ethnic community that is allegedly sovereign. Democracy is not
possible under retrograde nationalist ideologies alter the composition of society into an ethnic-based
corrupt State that then continues as its own supporting mechanism.
What is going on is the out-migration & depopulating of Bosnia leading to a change in the
demographic structure of the population. This is neither accidental nor is it harmless. This is an entire
project: the spreading of hopelessness, the encouraging of chaos, injustice, the loss of hope in the
future & corruption. Out-migration presents itself as the instrument of anti-Bosnian forces for the
definitive control over Bosnia.
Serbia & Croatia are Engaged in Underhanded Politics Toward Bosnia
The merciless attack by Serbia & Croatia on the Independence & sovereignty of Bosnia has
been going on already for 30 years. These neighbouring States cannot accept the fact that Bosnia is an
Independent State & that it decides independently about its own future. When rhetoric proved
insufficient, they turned to physical & military means in order to negate & destroy its existence. Serbia
believes it is “satisfied” with the Repubika Srpska entity in Bosnia, but this has caused Croatia to
embark on the path of open support for attempts to set up a 3rd entity by the HDZ [NB: HDZ =
“Croatian Democratic Union” – the ruling political party in Croatia & its branch party in Bosnia
established for Bosnian Croats].
For the past 30 years, the nationalist hegemonic policies of Belgrade & Zagreb have not
wavered from the agreement at Karadjordjevo (25 March 1991). This is where [then Serbian President
Slobodan] Milosevic & [then Croatian President Franjo] Tudjman mutually agreed not to recognize
Bosnia but rather to create & finance ethnic enclaves on Bosnian territory, thus making it impossible for
the development of a State of Bosnia. That is why the concepts of Bosanstvo [Bosnianism] & of co-
operative life in a multi-ethnic community was attacked with special fury. Bosnia must free itself from
these outdated initiatives.
Blatant Ignoring of The Findings of The European Court of Human Rights
(in the cases of Sejdic-Finci, Pilav, Zornic, Pudaric & Slaku)
Anti-Bosnian forces are moving in an anti-European & anti-Dayton direction. They do not want
a European Bosnia. For this reason, they stubbornly ignore the findings of the European Court of
Human Rights. For example, in the case of Zornic the European Court of Human Rights directly traces
the path to a Civic Society & State, freed from ethnic-based governance. The Court’s decisions assist
us in liberating ourselves from ethnic-based voting, inequality in the weight of individual votes &
manipulation with the House of Peoples. The House of Peoples should be a House of Cantons [per the
Federation’s manner of organization] or a House of Districts [per Republika Srpska’s manner of
organization]. In the current system, an ethnic-based veto can block decisions made by the House of
Representatives. What is needed is the establishment of the principle of the equal voting rights of
citizens (1 person – 1 vote), which is the basis of democracy.
The Attempt to Distract Bosnia from a European Path & to Move it into The
Orbit of The “Serbian-Russian world”
Current politics in Bosnia are reduced to waiting for someone else to make a decision about
these processes, rather than that decision being taken by those who are actually responsible for it.
Ethnic-based politics in Bosnia tries to deepen scepticism towards Europe & hatred of the West. Bosnia
is a European country & State, & it should continue to develop within the framework of the “ European
world.” Attempts to introduce reforms of the Election Law should be applied to the entire territory of the
State of Bosnia & Herzegovina, meaning to both entities & the Brcko District. Complete legal symmetry
should be implemented between the entities so that citizens are totally free & equal. The civic model of
society & the democratic structure of the State are the minimum standards for any serious politician.
The ethno-religious representation of a nation should not be accepted. The people or the citizens of
Bosnia & Herzegovina are the basis of sovereignty.
Summary of Session of 28 August 2022
The presenter at this session was Prof. Dr. Senadin Lavic
Adil Kulenović, President
Association of Independent Intellectuals – Circle 99 (Bosnian: Krug 99), a leading Bosnian think-tank,
was established in Sarajevo in 1993, in the midst of the Bosnian war (1992-1995), while the capital was
under siege.
Circle 99 provides a platform to bring together intellectuals of various professional & ethnic identities;
university professors, members of the Academy of Sciences & Arts of Bosnia & Herzegovina, artists,
journalists, entrepreneurs, diplomats, & other prominent figures from Bosnia & from abroad.
Multidisciplinary discussions & initiatives are held each Sunday throughout the academic year, in the
form of regular sessions about politics, science, education, culture, economy, & other societal issues.
The overall goal is to sensitize the public towards a democratic transformation, achieving & maintaining
peace, & integration of modern Bosnia into the community of countries fostering liberal democracy.
Circle 99 has been declared an organization of special significance for the city of Sarajevo.