Statement of Bosnia at the UNGA72
General WPS: “Whether I look back to our past or look into the present and the future, women in my country hold high positions, which rightfully and naturally belong to them. The role of women is vital for the development and prosperity of the family, as well as the society as a whole. In postconflict environments, women are always the first to extend the hand of reconciliation. In times of great challenges and risks, we need the strength and natural ability of women to pursue peaceful solutions more than ever. Although we are extremely proud of the significant progress we have made in implementing the provisions of the historic Security Council resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security), we are also aware of the areas where it is possible and needed to do considerably more. We will certainly continue to invest additional efforts to strengthen and empower Bosnian-Herzegovinian women and girls in accordance with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.”
Women: “We appreciate the decisive role of women in all processes of recovery and rebuilding of societies destroyed by the wars, and we will especially promote and encourage the increase in their engagement.”
Syria: “We still witness, with unquestioning concern, the continued suffering of the Syrian people. Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly condemns every form of violence against the civilian population. Violence must stop. Each Syrian child, woman and man, and each Syrian refugee, must have its dignity of a human being restored, as well as the belief in the possibility of recovery and new life opportunities. We [...] will continue to call for a peaceful and political solution through negotiations, in the process the ownership of which can only be in the hands of the Syrian people, based on the Geneva Communique and with the assistance of the intemational community and the United Nations, led by the Special Envoy for Syria, whose unselfish efforts to continue the negotiations in Geneva are highly appreciated.”
Palestine: “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict represents the most serious unresolved problem in the Middle East, and current absence of any negotiations between the parties is disturbing. Both nations deserve better. [...] It is necessary to firmly recall the ultimate goal, and that is the existence of the two states, Israel and Palestine, and their peaceful coexistence next to each other, in safety and within recognized borders. Bosnia and Herzegovina continues to believe that this goal can be achieved by both parties fulfilling their obligations, based on the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, the Madrid Principles and the Arab Peace Initiative.”
Conflict Prevention: “In Bosnia and Herzegovina, unfortunately, we know too much about the high price of wars. For us, preventive diplomacy is a tool that, when used at the right time, can help that wars are never repeated anywhere or to anyone. There are many reasons why, on a global level, the United Nations system must be at the heart of all activities using preventive measures to resolve the crises and prevent people from leaving their homes. Again, much of the responsibility for prevention lies with other levels. Within our communities, we must counter all the symptoms of trouble and conflicts. We must correct social injustice, reconcile what seems irreconcilable, persevere in compromise, strive for pluralistic and inclusive solutions, appreciate equally own and the rights of others, and constantly and continuously seek ways to find a common language. I believe that prevention and mediation, as well as conflict management techniques and conflict resolution in divided societies should be applied first within the respective region, with regional actors who generally better understand the opposing sides, their reasoning and their different views of the problem.”