Statistics best reflect the attitude of the authorities in the Federation of BiH toward the Serb people and their rights, as the number of Serbs in 2013 was 56,550, while by the end of 2022 it had dropped to 36,320 — a consequence of discrimination, says Arno Gujon, director of the Office for Public and Cultural Diplomacy of Serbia.
“That is the result of discrimination and the violation of rights that are, in theory, guaranteed by the constitution, but in practice often are not. This is also confirmed by the recent desecration of the Orthodox cemetery in Zenica, where more than 60 crosses and gravestones were destroyed,” Gujon said.
He emphasized that in his work so far he has advocated for respect of Serb rights in the Federation of BiH and pointed to the nature of the problem.
“By visiting municipalities in the Federation of BiH with a majority Serb population, I was able to see how much Serbia has done for the remaining Serb community over the past 10 years. What matters most to them is knowing that their homeland, Serbia, has not and will not forget them,” Gujon told Politika.
He noted that the Serb people in Kosovo and Metohija are in the worst situation since the 2004 pogrom, for which he holds the policy of the self-proclaimed Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti exclusively responsible.
He added that he does not expect serious negotiations between Belgrade and Priština, because Priština is pursuing an “all or nothing” approach and receives de facto support from many in the West for such behavior.
“As long as the West does not change its stance toward the separatists in Priština, the negotiations will remain at a dead end,” Gujon assessed.
According to him, recent U.S. decision to suspend the strategic dialogue with the provisional institutions in Priština shows that such changes are possible, representing a serious political blow to Kurti.
Gujon said he continues to fight for the truth about the Serb people worldwide, but that, unfortunately, anti-Serb propaganda is still present and must be countered not only with truth, but also with creativity.
“I am not saying that we have managed to wash away the mud that CNN and similar media poured on Serbia for decades, but we have certainly attracted new and valuable friends of Serbia, and we will continue to do so,” Gujon stressed.
Source: RTRS
