World Diaspora Association of BiH - About Us

According to the World Diaspora Association of BiH, in diaspora now lives more then 1,3 million citizens of B&H, all over the world. According to the official statitics, 60.000 BIH citizens abendend BiH citizenship.

 

How BiH World Diaspora Association was established

All those involved in realization of this idea from its very begining, know that BIH-UK Network from Birmingham was the only organization  who seriously accepted the letter of intention  to set up an umbrella organization of Bosnians and Herzegovinians in the world sent in 1999 by dr. Mustafa Karavdic from Australia.

The lettter was then distributed via BiH - UK Network to more than 700 addresses all over the world in order to organize First BiH World Diaspora Congress. Preparatory meeting was held  in June 2001 in BiH Club in Brent, UK, gathering representatives of associations from Australia, Austria, Great Britain, Denmark, Holland, Republic of Ireland. Switzerland, USA and Sweden. At this historical meeting, Organizational Board made of  dr. Zdenka Besara, Kelima Dautovic, Branka Franic, Faruk Ticic, Zaim Pasic, Anes Ceric, Nihad Filipovic, Ferid Kevric, Idriz Kadunic, Muhamed Siranovic, Idriz Saltagic, Spaho Bajric and Namik Alimajstorovic, was extended by new members from Australia – dr. Mustafa Karavdic, Sweden – Hajrudin Avdic, Denmark - Mirzet Dajic, Holland – Besim Ibisevic and USA – Sukrija Dzidzovic. All of them, supported by mr. Hajrudin Omerovic and mr. Zlatko Vukmirovic, gave their contribution to hold the Congress in Sarajevo in May 2002. BiH World Diaspora Association (SSDBiH) up to this moment has made connections with all major diaspora organizations all over the world.

.

London, 2001

BiH World Diaspora Association has held four congresses from the moment it was established.

 

Organizational Board

First Congress of BIH Diaspora  

BiH World Diaspora Association has been established at the First Congress of BIH Diaspora held in Sarajevo on 25 and 26 of May 2002, aiming to connect and coordinate work of Bosnian-Herzegovinian associations all over the world. At this historical gathering of BiH diaspora, more than 200 delegates have participated representing  different associations from 23 countries where BiH diaspora has an organized work.

The goals of the Association are coming from our Statute and the Declaration, and we do emphasize mutual cooperation of BiH diaspora in order to solve the issues of interest to diaspora and state of BiH.

As a crucial goal it's been highlighted the need to exchange information and ideas of interest to diaspora, coordination and uniqe approach to solve the issues of interest to diaspora before authorities and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad, to keep the cooperation, then making conditions  for preservation and development of Bosnian culture and tradition in the diaspora and its transfer  to younger generations, the same as development of humanitarian , educational, economic and other types of cooperation with their home country.

Those elected in Main Board of the Association are : Namik Alimajstorovic (president) – UK,  Ramiz Zupcevic (vice-president) – Sweden, Anes Ceric (secretary) – UK, Nihad Filipovic (cashier) – UK, Faruk Ticic – UK, Samir Rajic  - Sweden, Hajrudin Omerovic – Denmark, Mustafa Karavdic – Australia, Sukrija Dzidzovic – USA, Refka Kovac – Norway, Fadil Camic – Holland, Simo Esic – Germany, Milorad Muratovic – Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Elmir Camic – Germany (youth issues), Senada Softic – Australia (women issues), Narcis Jahic – Austria, Ilfad Mahmic – Croatia, Enisa Bukvic- Italy. Here we need to mention that four members of the Main Board from UK have one vote.

Elected deputees in the Main Board are: Redzep Skrijelj – Macedonia, Sadija Ombasci – France, Rabija Arslanagic – Sweden, Ismail Karcic – Sweden, Sanija Hodzic – Canada.  Steering Board members were:dr. Zdenka Besara (president) – UK, Besim Ibisevic – Holland, Izet Dajmanovic – Sweden.

 

Second Congress of BIH Diaspora  

On Saturday and Sunday, 12 and 13 of June (godina?) in Sarajevo at Holiday Inn hotel, sponsored by Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, Second Congress of BiH World Diaspora Association has been held. It was attended by 192 accredited participants, 124 delegates from 23 countries of the world, representatives of the government authorities and non-governmental organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Second Congress has adopted 38 conclusions and elected new Main and Steering Board of SSDBiH. Newly elected members of the Main Board of SSDBiH were: Ramiz Zupcevic (Sweden), Refka Kovac (Norway), Hajrudin Omerovic (Denmark), Hilko Bjelak (Austria), Senada Softic – Telalovic (Australia), Fadil Mesan (Belgium), Namik Alimajstorovic (England), Anes Ceric (England), Nihad Filipovic (England), Zaim Pasic (England), Faruk Ticic (England), Naida Ribic – Gradecak (Holland), Haris Halilovic (Germany), Enisa Bukvic (Italy), Milorad Muratovic (Serbia and Montenegro), Ahmed Kemal Bajsak (Turkey), Ismet Majdancic (Switzerland), Emina Zejnic (Slovenia), Mirza Trokic (USA), Rizvan Halilovic (Macedonia), Emira Malic (youth issues), Hajrudin Isovic ( war victims and veterans) and Dzevad Jupundzic (Croatia).

Steering Board members were: Zdenka Basara, Emir Bejtovic and Muhamed Mujkanovic. Namik Alimajstorovic and Anes Ceric were re-elected as a president and secretary, while dr. Milorad Muratovic and Senada Softic-Telalovic as a vice- presidents.

 

Third Congress of BiH Diaspora  

On 13th and 14th of May (koja godina?), in Sarajevo hotel Terme, Third Congress of World Diaspora Association of BiH has been held, organized by the Main Board of SSDBiH and co-organized by Danish Refugee Council (DRC). Sponsor of the congress was Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH. 68 delegates have participated representing 21 countries. BIH institutions were represented by Ministry for  Human Rights and Refugees, Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, Government of Sarajevo Canton, and non-governmental organizations in BiH. Congress was covered by electronic and print media, so it is reported in a satisfactory way to wider BIH public and audience.

In the second part of the Congress, a new governing bodies of the BIH World Diaspora Association have been elected. After election and formation of the Main Board, ms. Senada Softic-Telalovic has been named a new president, coming from Australia, vice-presidents were Milorad Muratovic from Serbia and Montenegro and Zaim Pasic from UK, while secretary of SSDBiH was Faruk Ticic from UK.  SSDBiH headquarters stayed in Birmingham, UK.

Newly elected members  of a Main Board were: Admira Fazlic (Holland), Medaga Hodzic (Italy), Emina Zejnic (Slovenia), Haris Halilovic (Germany), Hajrudin Isovic (Germany), Kemal Bajsak (Turkey), Rusmir Trokic (Belgium), Hamdija Malic (Croatia), Hilko Bjelak (Austria), Rizvan Halilovic ( Macedonia), Nesib Karisik (Sweden), Refka Kovac (Norway), Ismet Majdancic (Switzerland), Namik Alimajstorovic (UK), Kelima Dautovic (UK), Anes Ceric (UK), Sejad Suljic (Luxembourg), Ivan Butina (Italy) as a representative for youth issues at SSDBiH and Ivana Delic (Germany) as a representative of youth at SSDBiH. 

 

Fourth Congress of BiH World Diaspora Association 

Fourth Congress of BiH World Diaspora Association took place at BiH Parliamentary Assembly building in Sarajevo, between May 30 and June 1  2008. Sponsors of the congress were chairman of  the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina mr. Haris Silajdzic, member of the  Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina mr. Zeljko Komsic, minister for human rights and refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina dr. Safet Halilovic, minister for foreign affairs of BiH mr. Sven Alkalaj and minister of culture and sports of Sarajevo Canton mr. Emir Hadzihafizbegovic. During his first day, congress was attended by mayor of Sarajevo ms. Semiha Borovac, president of the Association of refugees and displaced persons of Bosnia and Herzegovina ms. Mirhunisa Komarica, president of BiH Heritage Fund mr. Avdo Hebib,  president of Serb citizen council mr. Mirko Pejanovic, president of BiH Jewish community mr. Jakob Finci, and as a special guest head of Australian foundation for multiculturalism mr. Hass Dellal.

Main topics of this congress were dual citizenship, formation of ministry for diaspora,  Election law of BIH and equality issues, establishment of Board for diaspora within BiH Council of ministers, Law on diaspora of BiH.

The Main Board was elected and by secret votes it has been decided that in a period of next two years president of SSDBiH will be Senada Softic-Telalovic, vice-presidents Belmin Zec from Austria and Nesib Karisik from Sweden,  and Anes Ceric from UK  was entrusted to be a secretary of the association. 

Following individuals were appointed in the Main Board:  Admira Fazlic (Holland), Damir Eskerica (Italy), Zaim Pasic, Sakib Podgoric and Namik Alimajstorovic (UK),  Desanka Delic and Hajrudin Isovic (issues of war victims and veterans), Ahmed Kemal Bajsak (Turkey), Hamdija Malic (Croatia),  Rizvan Halilovic (Macedonia), Dzenan Novic (Norway), Ismet Majdancic (Switzerland), Zdenko Stanar (Republic of Ireland), Sulejman Huskic (Denmark), Ferid Hodzic (Luxembourg).

At the Main Board meeting in Salzburg, Austria, leadership of SSDBiH accepted resignation of president ms. Senada Softic-Telalovic, and decided that the Association shall be further led by vice-presidents prof. Nesib Karisik and Belmir Zec, and as a secretary mr. Anes Ceric.   

Activities of SSDBiH 

SSDBiH had a numerous activities to solve a status problems of our diaspora , and from 2003 all the requests of our citizens  are filed within BiH domestic institutions. Of all those official request enlisted below, the only project partially completed was nostrification of diplomas of our students who graduated at prestigious world universities (Bologna declaration).

 

Investments in BiH

BIH diaspora thinks that corruption, bureaucracy  and common insecurity are the main obstacles for larger investments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At this moment, BiH diaspora is the biggest investor in our country based on assesment that annually through different channels and opportunities brings in around 6 billion of KM (Convertible Mark). Only last year through BiH 's Central Bank around 3 billion KM has been sent in.

By knowing mentality of our people and habit not to trust banking system too much,  they bring their money in cash in BiH and we are free to claim that first figure of 6 billion KM is more accurate and realistic.

BiH diaspora is seeking for protection of investments, tax relief and decrease of all administrative obstacles who prevent people to invest in BiH.

 

Return in BiH 

Our capital goal is to finally implement Annex 7 of Dayton Peace Accords and enable sustainable return.

We are witnesses to the fact that large part of private property is repossesed but that there are still cases of obstructionism in return , repression towards returnees and usurpation of their property. We would like to boost the climate in which there would be accountability for return and especially sustainable return, where schools, ambulances and new jobs will be opened in return areas, as a sign of common interest.

 

Lost years of service  in period 1992 – 1995

BiH diaspora is pleading for uniqe recovery of the damage made to BiH citizens by unlawful annulments of their working places and years of service  in period of 1992-1995, the same as recognition of retiring pension doubled for the period of time spent in concentration and collective camps, and so-called working obligation during the war. Huge number of BiH citizens in that period lost their jobs due to unlawful annulment  and overall situation of war, so the state should compensate them by recognition of, at least, years of service.

 

Nostrification of the diplomas gained abroad

BiH diaspora is seeking for uniqe recognition of the diplomas and qualifications of citizens of BiH that are gained abroad. Non-existence of such practice is one of the biggest obstacles for return of educated and young professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There should be insisted on persistent implementation of Law on Higher Education of BiH and Bologna declaration  which both successfully regulate this issue.   

 

BiH supplementary schools 

After many requests made by BiH diaspora, the uniqe programme has been adopted for BiH supplementary schools but textbooks are still missing. The problem is to provide 70.000 KM (cca 35.000 EUR) for costs of printing of those textbooks. To our opinion, this is intentional opstruction because it is well known that children of Serbs and Croats from Bosnia and Herzegovina  are attending  Serbian and Croatian  schools in diaspora, established  and controlled by those two states. So, it is needed 'to force'  the state to involve into this problem of printing the textbooks, finance of teachers who work in these schools, and to legally recognize years in service for those teachers who have worked and are still working in BiH supplementary schools.

 

Dual citizenship 

We insist on urgent technical modification of Dayton Peace Accords emphasized by the then High Representative who proclaimed Law on Dual Citizenship. Concretely, limiting article (Article 17)  that should be removed from this law says: ' dual citizenship can be obtained by BiH citizens only if Bosnia and Herzegovina has an billateral agreement with country in question'. We remind that billateral agreement has been signed only with Serbia, Montenegro and Sweden, and that only Germany, Austria and Luxembourg are requesting citizenship designation. SSDBiH insists that future formulation within this law includes that ' dual citizenship can be obtained by all BiH citizens  if the law of the countries of residence allows it'.

 

System of information 

BiH diaspora has an attitude that sharing of information to citizens in diaspora and about problems in diaspora is insufficient  and inadueqate. Namely, special TV shows targeting diaspora, cannot be viewed via terrestrial transmitters, international editions of the newspapers are not the same as those in the country, so that we have paradoxical situation where there is no any page reporting on diaspora only. An artificial gap among US and YOU is been created, which has to stop for once and ever.

 

Constitutional change 

SSDBiH position is to approach seriously the changes of Constitution of BIH in a way to fit the measure of human and citizen.

We, BiH diaspora, would like to see Bosnia and Herzegovina as :

-         democratic country ruled by European standards 

-         a country that respect human rights

-         a country who takes care of its youth, its citizens and numerous diaspora

-         a country that has uniqe economic space

-         a country  with smaller number of levels of authority and authority that is more efficient

-         a country that will by its Constitution prevail the circle of poverty

 

Election Law of BiH 

In regards with Election Law and ways to vote, SSDBiH is seeking:

1.  that BiH diaspora become separate electoral district and has its representative in BiH Parliament
2. that, in accordance with the Election Law,  vote become possible in BiH embassies and other convenient places, in a way that embassies are suggesting in particular countries
3. to enable voting via mail, as an alternative for the countries where Bosnia and Herzegovina has no its diplomatic representation, or for those citizens who live too far from the embassies or for some other reasons are not able to come at their premises
4. to simplify process of voting (removal of numerous procedures of registration) 

We think that by providing such suggestions, we help solvation and creation of new Election Law, that will serve and enable everyone who live in diaspora to directly involve in building the better future for their home country by casting their votes.

We specially emphasize  that diaspora have to have its own electoral district because in that way diaspora is able to propose and chose its candidate, making itself an active factor in solving its own and others problems.

 

Heritage Foundation, Ministry for Diaspora and Law on Diaspora 

We are only country in the world that has no its Heritage Foundation and BiH diaspora has wishfull expectations for final adoption of Law on Heritage Foundation, so that this significant institution can start its operation. BiH diaspora's recommendation is that future foundation employs persons from diaspora itself who have very good knowledge about worldwide diaspora.

Ministry for Diaspora is very much needed ministry that would be responsible to solve the needs of 1,3 million of our citizens in the world.  At this moment even three ministries are in charge of diaspora : Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, Ministry od Civil Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and , in addition, two entity ministries for education and culture. Currently some important issues for BiH diaspora  are taken care of by two ministries, which brings the whole process to slowdown and inefficency.

Law on Diaspora  is something that should be constantly insisted on. It is of highest priority to finally initialize adoption of such legal act, whose lack current governing structure is using to treat 1,3 million of its citizens  in accordance with its symphaties and interests.

 

Lobbying in diaspora's countries of residence  

SSDBiH has to work to establish so-called Lobby clubs that would gather our respected citizens in diaspora and their friends who would lobby for some important issues with their authorities.

 

Transfer of knowledge and experience from diaspora to Bosnia and Herzegovina 

We will give our best to provide as wider as possible transfer of knowledge and experience from diaspora to BiH, to revive constant process of communication and bridge  of cooperation that is two-way and not one-sided, which is the case at this moment.

 

Pre-electoral promises of our political parties 

In the last three pre-electoral campaigns, winners have promised: 

-         creation of state Ministry for Diaspora

-         renewed work of  Heritage Foundation of BiH

-         initiative to organize suplemmentary curriculum in mother tongue

-         solution of the problem of dual citizenship

-         reactivation of sattelite signal of Bosnian Public TV Channel

-         return and security for the property no matter its location  

-         voluntary rerturn of young and educated professionals in their home country, by providing the same conditions they have in current countries of residence

-         affirmation  of Bosnian identity as a common identity to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina no matter what is their religious or ethnic background

-         liberalization of visa regime

-         legal benefits for those living in emmigration, ready to invest in their home country in profit-oriented way

 

Registration of voters in diaspora 

Registration of voters is serious job and if state institutions realize it, there would be certainly more votes from diaspora. If, otherwise, they let it to someone else, voter's turn to the election will be as weak as usually. For example, in 1996 representatives of BiH embassy in London made visit to all diaspora clubs  and held public information sessions, which resulted in 2300 voters registered for elections in  BiH. Afterwards, no one from official structures of authority  never held any session or payed any visit, so that today in Great Britain only 300 to 400 Bosnians and Herzegovinians cast their votes during election cyclus. It means that for the next elections all interested parties have to hold pre-electoral campaing in diaspora, realistically expecting bigger electoral body.

 

BOSNIAN HOUSE IN BIRMINGHAM

Address: World Diaspora Association BOSNIA HOUSE, 36 Medley Road, Birmingham B11 2NE England

Phone: 0044 (0)121 772 3052 Fax: 0044 (0) 121 773 3861 E-mail: uknetwork@btconnect.com

WWW.BALKANCHRONICLE.COM