Toronto 16 January 2023
The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau
Prime Minister of Canada
Langevin Block, 80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A3
Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,
I write to you on behalf of people with a background from Bosnia and Herzegovina currently living in Canada. The Canadian-Bosnian community is deeply concerned and anxious about the political situation and recent developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On 9 January 2023, the Republika Srpska entity held unconstitutional Republika Srpska Day commemorations. In addition, Milorad Dodik, President of Republika Srpska, made the reprehensible decision to bestow an award on Vladimir Putin.
These actions are an affront to the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are an intentional attempt to destabilize peace and prosperity in Europe, particularly for the citizens and residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Moreover, they have already been condemned by the United States of America Embassy in Sarajevo and the Office of the High Representative (see Appendix).
The actions by the Republika Srpska entity and Milorad Dodik risk a repeat of the atrocities of the 1990s, akin to those we are witnessing in Ukraine today.
Prime Minister, the Canadian-Bosnian community seeks your help in making this issue known so that the Canadian Government can speak up and encourage Mr. Christian Schmidt, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, to take the following actions:
– Urgently adopt a parliamentary declaration for the protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty, independence, and political subjectivity of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
– Condemn Mr. Milorad Dodik’s unconstitutional behavior and his undermining of the Dayton Peace Agreement;
– Condemn the plans for the disintegration of Bosnia and Herzegovina by politicians in Republika Srpska.
– Call for catharsis and condemn the denial of judicially established facts related to the genocide committed in Srebrenica;
– Condemn glorification of the convicted war criminals; and
– Condemn the statements and actions of external parties seeking to disrupt peace and stability.
– Remove all those who undermine peace, act against the Constitution of Bosnia and
– Herzegovina and threaten a new conflict in the country, specifically, Mr. Milorad Dodik and his supporters.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Emir Ramic
Canadian-Bosnian Community
