Distinguished Presiding Officer of the UN General Assembly, Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, 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The Charter of Kulin Ban, a historical document from Bosnia, serves as an example of the importance of good neighborliness.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)
