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OSCE welcomes decision on Ferhadija Mosque in Banja Luka
SARAJEVO 27 March 2001
SARAJEVO, 27 March 2001 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes the decision by the Banja Luka municipal authorities to issue the urban permit required for the reconstruction of the Ferhadija Mosque in Banja Luka. The decision - long overdue and coming almost two years after the initial order by the Human Rights Chamber - marks the end of a prolonged period of obstruction by municipal officials and opens the door for renewed efforts at reconciliation.
"Finally, after prolonged obstruction and delays, Banja Luka officials have taken the first step in complying with the Human Rights Chamber with regard to the rebuilding of the Ferhadija Mosque and six other Banja Luka mosques," said OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Robert L. Barry. "We now expect the Banja Luka officials to grant the necessary building permit so that ground may be broken for the reconstruction without any further delays."
The 16th century Ferhadija Mosque was destroyed in 1993. The reconstruction of this and other mosques in Banja Luka was ordered by the Human Rights Chamber in 1999, and strongly supported by the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) in subsequent meetings.
The OSCE strongly supports efforts to reconstruct religious property destroyed during the war. The Mission calls for renewed efforts to promote religious tolerance and reconciliation, and considers this to be a positive step in the process.
For further information please contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/33 292-449.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
"Finally, after prolonged obstruction and delays, Banja Luka officials have taken the first step in complying with the Human Rights Chamber with regard to the rebuilding of the Ferhadija Mosque and six other Banja Luka mosques," said OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Robert L. Barry. "We now expect the Banja Luka officials to grant the necessary building permit so that ground may be broken for the reconstruction without any further delays."
The 16th century Ferhadija Mosque was destroyed in 1993. The reconstruction of this and other mosques in Banja Luka was ordered by the Human Rights Chamber in 1999, and strongly supported by the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) in subsequent meetings.
The OSCE strongly supports efforts to reconstruct religious property destroyed during the war. The Mission calls for renewed efforts to promote religious tolerance and reconciliation, and considers this to be a positive step in the process.
For further information please contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at ++387/33 292-449.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.