Distinguished Presiding Officer of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, and
the Esteemed Members of the UN Assembly :
Recalling the special consultative status of our organization,
Gesellschaft Bosnischer Akademiker in Österreich (Bosnian Academic Society in Austria)
Reaffirming the very spirt of the UN Charter, and
Recalling the Charter’s main focus on preservation of peace and prosperity among
peoples and nations, as well as its fundamental principle of a pacific and mutually
beneficial approach to international conduct
hereby we are submitting the formal proposal to the United Nations to declare 29th
of August as the International Day of Good Interstate Neighborliness.
That day holds extraordinary significance as it marks the date of The Charter
of Kulin Ban (issued on 29. August 1189). This document represents one of the eldest
European written instruments of good neighborliness, of active and peaceful
coexistence, and of mutually reinforced neighborly prosperity of peoples and
nations. Europe, with it the whole world, will wait the Peace of Westphalia of 1648
(practically a half of millennium) to endorse in writing such high standard of pacific
perception of and approach to international affairs.
The Charter of Kulin Ban, a historical document from Bosnia, serves as an
example of the importance of good neighborliness. This document outlines an
agreement between (medieval mighty kingdom of) Bosnia and the Republic of
Dubrovnik (independent state of republican type) which established the terms of
their economic and political relationship, freedoms of movement and liberties
including trade agreements and diplomatic protocols. Kulin Ban Charter is an early
example of an international accord between two sovereign states. As such, it is
considered as one of the earliest examples of written documents of international law
in the post-Antique Europe. It is also often cited as an example of the country’s long
history of multiculturalism and tolerance. The principles of the Kulin Ban charter;
sovereign equality among states, non-interference, right to international respect,
principle of pacific conduct, freedoms and liberties (limited but for that time
revolutionary), religious tolerance, and protection of property rights are similar to
those upheld in the UN Charter and further strengthened by the subsequent
Universal Charter on Human Rights of 1948. That makes Kulin Ban’s still relevant
today, as one of the indispensable building blocks of the international order that will
finally emerge, but only after the grossest violation of all above principles that
brought the World War II.
Fact that the Charter of Kulin Ban, by its promulgation and lasting
enforcement, has created a deep imprint on the social and political fabrics of Bosnia
and its region – furthering in good neighborliness, was confirmed at yet another
fundamental historical conjecture of Europe:
Bosnia was the only European Christian state to receive Jews when their tragic
exodus from Europe (imperial Spain) have started in late XV and early XVI.
Even to this very day, Bosnian capital of Sarajevo holds the original of one of
the holiest books of Jews – Hagada. This city – a home of Christians of all
denominations, Romas and Sintis as well as Sunni and Shia Muslims, holds the
second largest Jews cemetery in Europe – an evidence of cohabitation, tolerance and
understanding that needs the support to its model.
Due to the indispensable importance of good neighborliness in international
conduct, declaring 29th of August as International Day of good interstate
neighborliness will further strengthen the UN Principles, reaffirm its Charter as well
as universally reboost the rule of law and good practice. Needless to say, the
Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations, and the most notably its Article 74
refers to the determination of mankind ‘to practice tolerance and live together in
peace with one another as good neighbours’. It as a guiding principle is recognized
by all civilized nations and each of the UN member states.
We would like to emphasize the good neighborliness as the key principle
underpinning the peaceful coexistence between states – hence individual freedoms
liberties fundamental for the full realization of humans as individuals, groups or
nations. Your positive resolution of our Proposal would further strengthen
observance of peace, prosperity and dignity; equality among states irrespectively to
their size or orientation; promotion of harmonious interstate relations through
active and peaceful coexistence of collective security in their struggle to fulfil
civilizational mission of completion the SDGs.
Additionally, your positive resolution of our Proposal would also serve as a
testament to the cultural heritage of Bosnia, and its long history of promoting values
such as dialogue, respect, equality, as well as the national ethnic religious and
behavioristic tolerance.
Thank you for your kind and close consideration in this important matter.
Sincerely,
Bosnian Academic society in EU:
- Austria, Siradj Duhan
- Denmark, Amir Hadziahmetovic
- Germany, Azim Causevic
- Netherland, Ervin Sendijarevic
- Slovenia, Edvin Dervisevic
Attachment:
Oldest Charter between two countries (The Charter of Kulin Ban)
The Charter of Kulin Ban (29.08.1189)
In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost!
I, Kulin, Bosnian Ban, do declare to thee, Count Gervaise, and to all the
burghers of Dubrovnik that I shall henceforth and evermore be thy true
friend and shall keep right relations and true faith with thee so long as I
shall live.
I will receive in true faith and with true heart all who come from
Dubrovnik to travel in my domains for trade, whether sojourning here or
passing through, with no levy upon them, except such prestations as they
make of their own will. Nor shall they suffer any nuisance from my
officers. For so long as they remain with me, I will counsel and aid them
as my own self, to the fullest extent in my power, eschewing all
premeditation of evil. So help me God and this Holy Gospel.
I, Radoje, the Ban’s scribe, have indited this writ at the Ban’s command on
the Beheading of John the Baptist, the twenty ninth day of the month of
August, in the one thousand, one hundred, and eighty ninth year since
the birth of our Lord.
From old Bosnian: Desmond Maurer
The Charter of ban Kulin, National Museum of Bosnia (Sarajevo)
Highlights
Formal Proposal to declare 29th of August the International Day of Good Interstate Neighborliness
By BADEU0Distinguished Presiding Officer of the UN General Assembly, Mr.…
U Sarajevu otvoren Komunikacijski centar Bosanskog akademskog društva Europske unije – BADEU
DANI BOSNE: U Ljubljani projekcija filmova filmova bh. autorica Alete Rajči i Sare Ristić
