HAK-İŞ President Mahmut Arslan: "We have a historical connection with our Bosniak brothers and sisters, we are with you in your struggle"

HAK-İŞ Confederation President Mahmut Arslan participated in a critical program in Serbia on 29 September 2025, which addressed the challenges facing Bosniak identity. Speaking at the meeting titled "Revisionism and Bosniak Identity in the Region - Challenges and Responses" hosted by the Bosniak National Council, Arslan gave a strong message of solidarity and cooperation as a representative of a civil society organization from Turkey.

The Program Received Intense Interest

In addition to President Arslan, the meeting was attended by Fatih Bakırtaş, Chairman of the Committee on the Turkic World and Related Communities, Mehmet Yeşilyurt, Deputy Secretary General of Hizmet-İş Union and Gaye Polat, Member of the General Supervisory Board from HAK-İŞ delegation. President of the Bosniak National Council in Serbia Dr. Fuad Baćicanin and President of the Bosniak National Council in Serbia Prof. Dr. Sead Semsović were also present as hosts. In addition, important figures in the region such as Suljo Mustafić, President of the Parent Association and the Bosniak Council of Montenegro, and Emeritus Prof. Dr. Kasim Taka, President of the Council of the Congress of Bosniak Intellectuals, also participated in the program.

Arslan: "It's an Honor and Privilege for Me to Be Here"

Starting his speech by thanking for the invitation, Mahmut Arslan stated that it was a great honor and privilege for a non-Bosniak to be present at such an important meeting. He reminded the power of HAK-İŞ, one of the largest labor confederations in Turkey, and its position in the international trade union arena. Noting that they have 950,000 members and that he is also the vice-president of ITUC, the world's largest labor organization, and a member of the executive board of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Arslan underlined that he was present at the meeting with three different identities.

"We see Bosnians' problems as our own"

Arslan emphasized the historical, cultural and religious unity between Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina and stated that HAK-İŞ has a strong solidarity with its Bosnian brothers. He recalled the aid campaigns organized in Turkey during the war period and the cooperation agreement signed with the confederation in Bosnia-Herzegovina after the war. As a concrete example of cooperation, he noted that a historical building in Sarajevo was restored in partnership with TIKA and HAK-İŞ.

Emphasis on International Trade Union Representation

Explaining that a cooperation agreement was signed with the Independent New Market Trade Union as a result of the activities, mutual visits and trainings carried out by HAK-İŞ in New Market since 2015, Arslan emphasized that their main goal is "to ensure that Bosnian workers are more represented in the international trade union movement and to bring their problems to the world platform".

Stating that HAK-İŞ has the identity of a "human rights organization" and a "non-governmental organization", Arslan noted that in line with the congress decisions taken by the confederation, they continue their mission of "standing by all oppressed people in our country, in our region and in the world".

"The International System is Broken"

Assessing the current political and economic conjuncture in the world, Arslan pointed out that the international system is in a serious collapse. Stating that the values of institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and the European Union have been destroyed, Arslan reiterated his call for unity and solidarity, saying, "We need more struggle, effort and cooperation."

Underscoring that the Turkish people see the Bosnians' struggle as their own struggle, Arslan said, "You will never give up the struggle. We support your struggle to the end" and gave a strong moral support to the Bosnian people.

"Remember the Genocide, Genocides that are forgotten are repeated"

At the end of his speech, Arslan referred to the Dayton Agreement, reminding that the late Aliya Izzetbegovic saw this agreement as a "necessity" and stated that the agreement would increase the problems in its current form. Despite this, he stated that they were not hopeless and that the unity of Bosnians gave him hope.

Mahmut Arslan concluded his speech with the historic words of Aliya Izzetbegovic: "Remember genocide. Forgotten genocides are repeated. What happened in Palestine today may happen in our country tomorrow. We must never forget this genocide. We will not hold grudges but we will not forget what has been done."

Arslan Also Participated in International Bosniak Day Programs

President Arslan and the accompanying delegation participated in the programs organized by the Bosniak National Council as part of the International Bosniak Day on 28 September. In this context, they also participated in the program on "The Past, Present and Future of Public Services in the World and Serbia" organized by the Serbian Independent Yenipazar Trade Union with the support of TIKA.