President Željko Komšić is the current Chairman of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s tripartite Presidency. Visiting the UK last week, President Komšić met UK Government representatives and MPs before delivering a keynote lecture at a special event hosted by Remembering Srebrenica and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies on Thursday 4th December.
Speaking to a packed audience, President Komšić made an impassioned call for his country to reject sectarian divisions in favour of a citizen-led democracy within the European family of nations. The President’s lecture commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Dayton agreement which ended the Bosnian war.
In his speech, President Komšić argued that Bosnia and Herzegovina stands at a crossroads. He said that while the Dayton Agreement rightly brought an end to three and a half years of bloodshed and reaffirmed the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country must move beyond the constitutional framework which Dayton created and which divided political representation on a formula based on country’s different ethnic groups.
President Komšić argued that to build a sustainable future for his country, democracy must be built on citizenship with political equality and human rights guaranteed for all its people with the rule of law at its heart within the European family of nations. His vision stands in marked contrast with sectarian messages being promoted today by extremist nationalist politicians who are once again stirring up ethnic tensions in the country.
Drawing on centuries of history in which Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a “meeting point of civilisations,” he said: “Our challenge is to ensure that identity regains its rightful role as a bridge rather than a boundary, a source of moral and cultural richness rather than a weapon in the hands of politics.”
You can read President Komšić’s full speech here [PDF].
Richard Burden, Director of Remembering Srebrenica UK said: “Remembering Srebrenica UK was honoured to host President Komšić in Oxford. President Komšić’s words about his vision for the future of his country were both timely and inspirational. His core message chimes powerfully with Remembering Srebrenica’a own motto ‘Remember Yesterday, Act Today’.
“We must never forget the horrors that genocide inflicted on the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1990s and the dangers that the spread of hate continues to pose. But President Komšić is also right to remind us that different cultural identities can be a source of strength for societies rather than a recipe for division. That is an important message for us here in the UK as well as for the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Statehood Day celebration
On Saturday 6th December, the President addressed a Statehood Day celebration at Bosnia House in Birmingham, which was organised by the Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network and hosted by the Honorary Consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Midlands, Dr Anes Cerić.
Notable guests at the Birmingham event included: Zafar Iqbal MBE, Lord Mayor of Birmingham; Afzal Hussain DL, Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands; His Excellency Osman Topčagić; Bosnian Ambassador to the UK; Zaim Pasić, Chair of the Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network; Simon Foster, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, together with councillors and other civic leaders from across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
Poems were read by pupils and graduates of the Bosnian Supplementary School in Birmingham, while Ileš Bečei (tenor) and Elvir Solak (guitarist) provided a poignant musical performance.
Five awards were presented:
Presidential Award for Dr Waqar Azmi OBE for Extraordinary Service to Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance and Combating Hatred
President Željko Komšić presented the Presidential Award to Dr Waqar Azmi OBE, recognising more than fifteen years of extraordinary service as one of the world’s leading advocates for truth, justice and reconciliation for Bosnia and Herzegovina. The honour reflects Dr Azmi’s tireless work in raising awareness of the Srebrenica genocide, combating hatred and intolerance to help build a better, safer and more cohesive society for everyone in the UK as well as strengthening UK and international support for peace, justice and long-term stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Remembering Srebrenica UK and Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network presented:
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
to Robert McNeil MBE
In recognition of his extraordinary dedication to uncovering the truth of the Bosnian genocide as a United Nations forensic technician; his distinguished leadership as Chair of the Remembering Srebrenica Scotland Board of Ambassadors; and his profound commitment to educating future generations.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
to Ferid Kevrić
In recognition of his exceptional lifelong service to the Bosnian community in Derby; his visionary leadership in establishing the Bosnia and Herzegovina Derby Community Centre; and his unwavering dedication to supporting and uplifting all communities.
OUTSTANDING STATESMAN AWARD
to President Željko Komšić
In recognition of his extraordinary service to Bosnia and Herzegovina as a statesman committed to a unified, multi-ethnic country where all communities can live side by side with equality, democratic rights, and freedom, and for his courageous leadership in upholding inclusion, justice, and the long-term cohesion of the nation.
AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS
to Ambassador Vanja Filipović
In recognition of his exceptional service as Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Kingdom; his strong collaboration with Remembering Srebrenica UK, Bosnia and Herzegovina UK Network, APPG on Bosnia and Herzegovina, UK Government, and MPs across all parties; and his unwavering commitment to defending the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina with courage and patriotism.
