The last Independence Day for Bosnia and Herzegovina

Yesterday, on the 1st of March most of the citizens, but not all of them, celebrated the Independence Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On that very Day in 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina was recognized in Europe as multireligious, multicultural, and multiethnic country, after finished Referendum where people voted for independent state, separate from ex Yugoslavia. One month after we got the legitimate state, the war started and dream about sovereign, independent state, was destroyed.

Rich history of Bosnia and Herzegovina shows a very special unity, harmony and spirit of this state. Therein, four religions and churches, three majority nations and several minorities, four cultures, traditions, and civilizations, each of them in its own, contributed to and built a distinctive Bosnian-Herzegovina culture, civilization, and tradition. But unfortunately, there is a significant difference in thinking between people in this country. That is the reason why this day was not celebrated in the whole state. Moreover, the places where it was celebrated, was not respected by some people. In the cities where Bosniaks are majority, it was not-working day, but in Republic of Srpska and Croatian majority cities, it was a usual working day. These problems about the celebration of state holidays happen each year. That is why, BH authorities made a law draft about the state holidays, which does not include 1st of March as the Independence Day, which should be accepted very soon. Miro Lazovic, the member of the Parliamentary Forum from 1992 to 1995. says that the abrogation of the Independency Day means derogation of people’s will, since 66% of people voted for independent Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Referendum which was held on the 1st March, 1992. (Dnevni avaz, daily newspapers 01-MAR-04)

Genocide, ecocide, ethnocide, and urbicide will remain in BH history for always.

In a way, the future of this country depends on civil consciousness which differs from side to side. This Law, after its acceptance, should make these differences disappeared.