CVIJANOVIĆ: FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, WE HAVE WITNESSED SERBOPHOBIA IN BiH

BANJA LUKA, MARCH 19 /SRNA/ - Željka Cvijanović, the Serb member of the Presidency of BiH, stated today in Banja Luka that there is no Islamophobia in Republika Srpska or BiH, but rather Serbophobia, as throughout everything that has happened over the past 30 years, Serbs have been left without many things in BiH.

"The abuse and usurpation of institutions is Serbophobia. Serbs have been left without powers, without competencies, without electoral will, and now we are supposed to be left without a voice as well, because we are not allowed to say anything so that no one would get offended, as they believe the state belongs only to them. It does not," Cvijanović said at a press conference in Banja Luka. Cvijanović emphasized that the Constitution should be respected, as well as the Dayton Agreement. "If the Dayton Agreement were respected, then some respect for it would also be shown in the Federation of BiH, but they do not mark that date because they consider it a transitional solution, and our citizens need to know that," Cvijanović said. Cvijanović asked what the purpose of statements by Bosniak representatives is, in which they claim they are defending themselves from a "false narrative". "If it is false, then you have nothing to defend yourselves against. It is never good for positions to be defined in this way within multinational communities, while in Sarajevo and the Federation of BiH, there is constant talk about how we live in a multiethnic country," Cvijanović emphasized. According to her, everything we are seeing unfolding represents a usurpation of all possible powers and institutions of the system. "We have been witnessing this for many years and decades," Cvijanović said. She emphasized that she perceives such definitions of a community's positions within BiH in this way, linking politics with religious institutions. Cvijanović expressed satisfaction that the Serbian Orthodox Church and the institutions of Republika Srpska clearly understand their connection and shared responsibilities, as well as the boundaries of each domain. "I appreciate the way the Serbian Orthodox Church conducts itself, and we have never had an occasion to hear statements that in any way resemble political declarations," she added. Željka Cvijanović, the Serb member of the Presidency of BiH, called for unity and cohesion within Republika Srpska. "We are asking for cohesion on these issues within Republika Srpska, and we do not consider anyone's political affiliation. In Srpska, we also do not look at anyone's religion or nationality; everyone is a welcome resident of Republika Srpska," Cvijanović said. Cvijanović urged the citizens of Republika Srpska to be reasonable and level-headed and to understand certain processes.