'Political and cultural rights of Muslim/Bosniak minority in the Republic of Serbia and Muslim/Bosniak Minority in the Republic of Croatia' 'The comparison of two case studies in the time frame of the 1990s - the present time'

Majra HASANEFENDIĆ

Master's thesis

'The comparison of two case studies in the time frame of the 1990s - the present time'

Political and cultural rights of Muslim/Bosniak minority in the Republic of Serbia and Muslim/Bosniak Minority in the Republic of Croatia: The comparison of two case studies in the time frame of the 1990s until the present time

Abstract:

This thesis undertakes a comprehensive examination of the political and cultural rights of the Muslim/Bosniak minority in the Republic of Serbia and the Muslim/Bosniak Minority in the Republic of Croatia, spanning from the 1990s to the present. The primary research question focuses on uncovering potential differences in the attitudes of the Croatian and Serbian governments toward respecting the rights and freedoms of the Muslim/Bosniak minority. The overarching inquiry probes the differences in the approaches of these governments, shedding light on the evolving dynamics of minority rights in the post-Yugoslav context. Conducting qualitative interviews with members of the Bosniak/Muslim communities served as the foundation for this study, offering essential insights to formulate hypotheses and comprehend core issues. A notable aspect of this research is the absence of a predefined hypothesis, allowing the investigation to adapt to the dynamic nature of minority issues in the selected study cases. The findings resulting from in-depth open-ended interviews are multifaceted, covering critical aspects such as political representation, the controversy surrounding minority censuses, the legal treatment of the minority, and their struggles in cultural, religious, educational, and political domains. Additionally, the research delves into integration problems and potential solutions, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by the Muslim/Bosniak minority in both countries.

Abstract:

This thesis undertakes a comprehensive examination of the political and cultural rights of the Muslim/Bosniak minority in the Republic of Serbia and the Muslim/Bosniak Minority in the Republic of Croatia, spanning from the 1990s to the present. The primary research question focuses on uncovering potential differences in the attitudes of the Croatian and Serbian governments toward respecting the rights and freedoms of the Muslim/Bosniak minority. The overarching inquiry probes the differences in the approaches of these governments, shedding light on the evolving dynamics of minority rights in the post-Yugoslav context. Conducting qualitative interviews with members of the Bosniak/Muslim communities served as the foundation for this study, offering essential insights to formulate hypotheses and comprehend core issues. A notable aspect of this research is the absence of a predefined hypothesis, allowing the investigation to adapt to the dynamic nature of minority issues in the selected study cases. The findings resulting from in-depth open-ended interviews are multifaceted, covering critical aspects such as political representation, the controversy surrounding minority censuses, the legal treatment of the minority, and their struggles in cultural, religious, educational, and political domains. Additionally, the research delves into integration problems and potential solutions, providing a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by the Muslim/Bosniak minority in both countries.

Keywords

Ethnic/National Minority, Religious Minority, Ethnicity, Integration, Political Representation, Cultural Autonomy, Multiculturalism, Interculturalism, Segregative Multiculturalism, Integrative Multiculturalism.

Language used: German

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 7. 12. 2023

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Yasir Yilmaz, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Arts

Master programme / field:
Humanities / Euroculture