Conference “Aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Siege and Defense of Sarajevo - Three Decades Later” held in the City Hall

On the occasion of marking the thirtieth anniversary of the beginning of the aggression on the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the siege and defense of Sarajevo, a conference “Aggression on the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Siege and Defense of Sarajevo - Three Decades Later” was held in the City Hall on 13 June and organized by University of Sarajevo - Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law and the City of Sarajevo - City Administration.

During the opening of this important event, the director of the Institute for Research of Crimes against Humanity and International Law of the University, Prof. Dr. Rasim Muratović pointed out: “30 years have passed since the beginning of the siege and defense of Sarajevo. Sarajevo was completely cut off and communicated by April 6. According to all objective analyzes and expert assessments, Sarajevo should have fallen in a few days, but Sarajevo defended itself and defended as a city under siege the longest in the history of modern warfare for more than a hundred days longer than the historical defense of Leningrad. It was a defense organized out of a sense of existential threat, a sense of being or not being, the historical salvation of state and people. At the same time, Sarajevo was crying and singing like in an ancient drama, and Sarajevo responded to the hatred by loving the common life of its citizens of different religions and peoples, sending a message that Sarajevo was Europe even when Europe turned its back on it. A gathering attended by eminent actors of the time, political, cultural, public workers as well as recognized scientists, and researchers, among other things, is an opportunity to exchange knowledge, insights and experiences about the aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina on the siege and defense of Sarajevo three decades later,“ concluded Prof. Muratović.

On behalf of the academic community and the University of Sarajevo, Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj addressed attendees.

“The University of Sarajevo and the City of Sarajevo, I can freely say, are symbols of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the international level as well. The city as the capital - a symbol of the state, the University of Sarajevo as the oldest and largest university, as the cradle of all public universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The University of Sarajevo, as an institution, has not stopped its work for a single day due to the aggression on BiH. Although some faculties were completely burned down, although many students and professors were members of the Army of RBiH, the University did not stop working. This is what will make this University an indestructible institution throughout history, which testifies to the heroism of its members, students, academic community and non-teaching staff, including the winner of the Golden Lily award, who weaved their lives into the foundations of BiH, “said Rector Škrijelj , and added: “Today, scientists and researchers will talk about what is part of history, and many of our generals today are professors and doctors, and this gives them formal legal legitimacy and legality that what they did for the good of BiH can translate into books, scientific works and historical testimonies that will last for centuries “. He concluded his address with a strong wish that the City of Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina live in freedom and have a big heart.

“Welcome to your town hall, welcome to our City Hall,” said Sarajevo Mayor Benjamina Karić. “As the youngest mayor in the history of the city of Sarajevo, a proud woman from Sarajevo, Bosnian and Herzegovinian, I was especially pleased to support this eminent gathering that brought together important figures from politics, academia, the Armed Forces, national cultural communities, science, education, media and other fields. actions. It is a great pleasure for me that today we have representatives of the academic community and our esteemed generals of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the same place, “said Mayor Karić.

During her address, she shared with the audience the memory of Zubin Mehta, under whose baton Mozart's Requiem was performed in the ruined City Hall on 19 June 1994, and who calmly said amidst rumors that the City Hall would be shelled in the middle of the concert: are artists, citizens of Sarajevo, they have been shelled for more than two years, one night and we will share their fate.

Also, Mayor Karić emphasized that in Sarajevo she defended Europe, the Europe of equal citizens, the Europe of state and local government, which will be responsible in the service of man.

Through three panels, attended by actors of the time, political, cultural and public workers, as well as renowned scientists and researchers, participants had the opportunity to hear presentations on the role and importance of the Presidency of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in resistance and defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina; on the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the role of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the resistance and defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and the siege of Sarajevo, committed crimes 1992-1995. years and responsibility for crimes, and the role of the media in Sarajevo after the siege.

Presentations were given by: academician Prof. Dr. Mirko Pejanović, Jakob Finci, Prof. Dr. Franjo Topić, Prof. Mustafa Spahić, Rajko Živković, Dervo Sejdić, Fikret Grabovica, Doz. Dr. Vahid Karavelić, Prof. Dr. Nedžad Ajnadžić, Mustafa Polutak, M.Sc. Zijad Rujanac, M.Sc. Neziran Đogo, Dr. Sc. Meldijana Arnaut-Haseljić, academician Prof. Dr. Džemal Najetović, Prof. Dr. Izet Šabotić, Prof. Dr. Sc. Mesud Šadinlija, Doz. Dr. Ermin Kuka, M.Sc. Almir Grabovica, Prof. Dr. Sead Selimović, Ph.D. sc. Zilha Mastalic-Kosuta, Prof. Dr. Ismet Alija, Prof. Dr. Muamer Džananović, Prof. Dr. Sc. Hikmet Karčić, Prof. Dr. Merisa Karović-Babić, Prof. Dr. Alija Kožljak and mr. Sead Bandzovic.

This scientific gathering was an opportunity to exchange knowledge, insights and experiences about the aggression on the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the siege and defense of Sarajevo, three decades later.