Head of OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina calls for permanent solution on Single Reference Number issue for newborn children

SARAJEVO, 14 June 2013 - The Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Fletcher M. Burton, today welcomed that a short-term solution was found to enable a three-month BiH-born girl to be transported to a clinic in Germany for urgent medical treatment. He urged Parliamentarians to reach a compromise solution on the Single Reference Number for all new-borns in the country which would allow the children to be issued identity documents.

Burton, who had met relevant BiH authorities to discuss the issue, said: “While the decision to allow the transportation of Belmina  Ibrišević to Germany is an important step forward, the matter is much larger than the case of a single individual.”

“Resolution of the issue of the Single Reference Number for children born in Bosnia and Herzegovina is urgent.  Without resolution, they face many negative implications; it affects their right to freedom of movement and to health protection.”

“Members of the BiH Parliament should reach a compromise and implement the BiH Constitutional Court decision of 2011.  There are 170 days left for this. The OSCE Mission to BiH is prepared to assist the relevant authorities in any possible way within its mandate.  Human rights are at the core of our work, and efforts to find a lasting solution to this burning problem must be re-doubled,” Burton stressed.