№ 40 - Sandžak: Neumitna radikalizacija
№ 40 - Sandzak: Inevitable Radicalization

Author(s): Author Not Specified
Subject(s): Constitutional Law, Governance, Politics and religion, Inter-Ethnic Relations
Published by: Helsinški odbor za ljudska prava u Srbiji
Keywords: Sandzak;Bosniak;Muslims in Serbia;
Summary/Abstract: For over two decades Sandzak – a part of Serbia bordering both on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, and mostly populated by Bosniak minority – has been exposed to the state orchestrated, repressive policy aimed at minimizing this minority community. The attitude towards Islam and Muslims in ex-Yugoslavia became harsh and hostile back in 1980s when the Serb elite launched the campaign against Muslims, along with the thesis about “Islamic fundamentalism threatening to destroy Yugoslavia.” The terrain was so prepared for the ensuing genocide in Bosnia the effects of which haven’t bypassed Sandzak Bosniaks either. The attitude towards Muslims has not basically changed since. However, under the pressure from European organizations such as Council of Europe, OSCE and EU, the state has been refraining from overt repression but not from other methods like criminalization of individuals or groups (Vehabits) and, above all, from constant undermining of the Islamic Religious Community as the only Bosniak institution, crucial for their identity.

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