Newsroom
Disturbances in Trebinje condemned by OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 7 May 2001
SARAJEVO, 7 May 2001 - The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, condemns in the strongest possible terms the disturbances in Trebinje on Saturday.
During a ceremony to mark the beginning of reconstruction of the Osman Pasha Mosque in the centre of town, an organized crowd attacked representatives of the international community and the media covering the event, including the Office of the High Representative Special Envoy Daniel Ruiz.
"The Republika Srpska authorities must investigate this appalling breakdown of law and order and ensure that the perpetrators of this violence are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said OSCE Acting Head of Mission Ambassador Dieter Woltmann. "The days when mob rule could prevent progress, and when violence could prevent reconstruction and return, are long since passed. These terror tactics cannot and will not be rewarded."
Several media representatives were also attacked during the disturbances.
This can only be seen as an attempt once again to turn back the progress made with regard to media freedoms in BiH over the past five years.
The OSCE extends its best wishes to those injured in the attacks on Saturday and will ensure that property law implementation, reconstruction of cultural and residential buildings, and the protections of basic human rights including freedom of the media continues in BiH.
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.
For further information, please contact Sanela Tunovic, Acting Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, tel.: ++387/(0)33 292-338.
During a ceremony to mark the beginning of reconstruction of the Osman Pasha Mosque in the centre of town, an organized crowd attacked representatives of the international community and the media covering the event, including the Office of the High Representative Special Envoy Daniel Ruiz.
"The Republika Srpska authorities must investigate this appalling breakdown of law and order and ensure that the perpetrators of this violence are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," said OSCE Acting Head of Mission Ambassador Dieter Woltmann. "The days when mob rule could prevent progress, and when violence could prevent reconstruction and return, are long since passed. These terror tactics cannot and will not be rewarded."
Several media representatives were also attacked during the disturbances.
This can only be seen as an attempt once again to turn back the progress made with regard to media freedoms in BiH over the past five years.
The OSCE extends its best wishes to those injured in the attacks on Saturday and will ensure that property law implementation, reconstruction of cultural and residential buildings, and the protections of basic human rights including freedom of the media continues in BiH.
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.
For further information, please contact Sanela Tunovic, Acting Spokesperson, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, tel.: ++387/(0)33 292-338.