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OSCE Head of Mission: Banja Luka violence is uncivilized and intolerable
SARAJEVO 7 May 2001
SARAJEVO, 7 May 2001 - The Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Dieter Woltmann, condemns in the strongest terms today's outbreak of violence in Banja Luka before the beginning of a ceremony to lay the cornerstone of the Ferhadija Mosque.
"I am dismayed that more than five years after the war, tolerance and respect for Bosnia and Herzegovina's different faiths have yet to become established," Ambassador Woltmann said. "Such a demonstration of uncivilized and violent behaviour is utterly intolerable and an embarrassment for the Republika Srpska."
"The Republika Srpska authorities and all political parties should ensure that the fundamental right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republika Srpska can be fully exercised by all," added Ambassador Woltmann. "This includes providing a secure environment for the observance of religious ceremonies and events. The Republika Srpska authorities must take positive steps to ensure that progress towards reconciliation and return is not frustrated by nationalist and religious extremists."
The reconstruction of the Ferhadija mosque 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 Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina calls on the authorities of the Republika Srpska to condemn this incident and to prosecute those responsible for the violence.
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.: ++ 387/33 292-449.
"I am dismayed that more than five years after the war, tolerance and respect for Bosnia and Herzegovina's different faiths have yet to become established," Ambassador Woltmann said. "Such a demonstration of uncivilized and violent behaviour is utterly intolerable and an embarrassment for the Republika Srpska."
"The Republika Srpska authorities and all political parties should ensure that the fundamental right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republika Srpska can be fully exercised by all," added Ambassador Woltmann. "This includes providing a secure environment for the observance of religious ceremonies and events. The Republika Srpska authorities must take positive steps to ensure that progress towards reconciliation and return is not frustrated by nationalist and religious extremists."
The reconstruction of the Ferhadija mosque 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 Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina calls on the authorities of the Republika Srpska to condemn this incident and to prosecute those responsible for the violence.
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.: ++ 387/33 292-449.