SARAJEVO, JANUARY 11 (ONASA) – The OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Mission) condemns any action and speech motivated by prejudice or hatred and points with great concern to the recent increase in the number of such incidents that occurred in certain locations in the Republika Srpska , in connection with the celebration of Orthodox Christmas and the unconstitutional Day of the Republic of Srpska, and in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Unfortunately, such events are becoming a pattern and practice, and during the period of celebrating Orthodox Christmas and on January 9, we again witness threats and harassment of members of non-Serb communities in certain parts of the Republika Srpska, which included convoys of vehicles, public gatherings where participants carried firearms, insults on a national basis and the glorification of war criminals. Incidents were also recorded in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including damage to property owned by Serbs. Such displays of intimidation and force sow fear and divide communities struggling to move forward and rebuild broken trust.
According to the data collected as part of the Monitoring Program implemented by the Mission, despite the indicators and initial evidence of the existence of prejudice, the authorities rarely act adequately in conducting the investigation and prosecuting the perpetrators, and other necessary actions are also missing. The repetition of incidents of this type indicates the existence of a culture of impunity, because the previous reactions of the competent institutions had little or no effect on suppressing or preventing the recurrence of such phenomena.
However, taking into account the above, we point out that after the recent events in Vlasenica and Srebrenica, the law enforcement agencies reacted adequately and quickly, ignoring the growing public pressure and calls to ignore their legal obligations. The Mission also welcomes the condemnation of these incidents.
We invite the competent prosecutor’s offices to conduct a detailed investigation and think carefully about possible accusations and motives, respecting both domestic criminal regulations and the binding jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. All other competent bodies and authorities are obliged to respond to these and other similar incidents adequately and without delay, and to provide support and protection to the victims and their communities.
The most important thing is to appreciate the fact that these episodes do not happen in isolation, and that they should be re-examined within the wider context of the rhetoric of division and hatred, which is resorted to by certain elected officials, public figures and media organizations. The involvement of institutions and individuals in promoting the exclusion, discrimination and marginalization of citizens who do not belong to the dominant national, religious or political group is an expression of clear support for conflict and hatred. This includes continued official support for the celebration of the unconstitutional Republika Srpska Day, which leads to the further collapse of fundamental human rights and the rule of law, including the authority of the judiciary. The mission again condemns any action contrary to the principles of inclusiveness, pluralism and democracy, on which Bosnia and Herzegovina is based.
Competent institutions and persons in positions of power and influence, including elected officials, must work for the welfare of all people in their area of responsibility, regardless of their origin or religious belief. Since everyone is equal before the law, elected officials have the obligation to actively and decisively condemn all incidents and crimes motivated by prejudice as well as hate speech. Indeed, they must work to strengthen unity in society, not to destroy it, and must ensure zero legal, social and cultural tolerance towards those who want to attack or marginalize certain groups or individuals in society.
In short, leaders and institutions must provide safety, security and well-being to all who live in Bosnia and Herzegovina.