Safet Halilović (3 April 1951 – 10 May 2017) was a Bosnian politician and professor who served as the 6th President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2002 to 2003. He later served as Minister of Civil Affairs from 2002 to 2007 and as Minister of Human Rights and Refugees from 2007 to 2012.
Halilović joined the Party of Democratic Action in 1990, before leaving it and joining the Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1996.
Early life and education
Halilović was born in Orahova, Gradiška. He later attended the University of Sarajevo, graduating in 1974 from the Department of Social studies. He obtained a doctorate in politics in 1988.
Halilović was president of "Renaissance", a Bosniak cultural association, from 1990 to 1992. He was then president of the Bosnian Cultural Center in Sarajevo from 1995 to 1998.
Political career
Halilović entered politics as a member of the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) upon the party's foundation in 1990. He eventually left the SDA to join the Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina, getting elected as its secretary general in May 1996. Halilović served as Vice-President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina from February 2001 to January 2002. Then he served as the President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1 January 2002 until 27 January 2003.
Halilović would then serve in government, being appointed Minister of Civil Affairs on 23 December 2002, serving until 11 January 2007. He then served as Minister of Human Rights and Refugees from 11 January 2007 to 12 January 2012.
Death
Halilović died in Sarajevo on 10 May 2017 at the age of 66.
