Our Global Ambassador Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess and Executive Director Selma Porca attended a series of productive meetings in Washington D.C. last week, where they met with senior government officials and legislators.
Dr. Sabic-El-Rayess and Ms. Porca used this opportunity to discuss the following policy matters important to our Bosniak-American community (among others):
- Bosnia and Herzegovina’s security situation in light of the anticipated expiration of the EUFOR mandate on November 22, 2022. We expressed our community’s support for the current bi-partisan EUFOR letter, signed by Senators Shaheen, Murphy, Tillis and Wicker.
- Concerns regarding the imposition of the new Election Law and related constitutional amendments by High Representative Christian Schmidt.
- The need to expeditiously implement the Sejdic-Finci-Zornic decisions to address provisions in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s constitution that have been adjudicated to be discriminatory by the European Court of Human Rights.
- The importance of treating genocide denial as a destabilizing activity punishable by sanctions.
- We expressed our support for the Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act.
- We shared our feedback on and proposed amendments to the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act.
Both Dr. Sabic-El-Rayess and Ms. Porca look forward to future visits to Washington D.C. on behalf of the Bosniak community in the U.S., as we continue to advocate for equal rights of all Bosnian citizens, as well as a path to expeditious NATO and EU membership to ensure stability and peace in the region.
