OSCE Mission report highlights need to tackle hate crimes to promote security and build cohesive society in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, 13 November 2012 – Bias-motivated crimes send a strong message of intolerance and prejudice towards victims and their communities, can increase tensions in society, and must not be ignored, said Adam Kobieracki, the Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, presenting in Sarajevo today an OSCE Mission report on tackling hate crimes.
The report Tackling Hate Crimes: An Analysis of Bias-motivated incidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Recommendations is based on the Mission’s five years of monitoring of hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is the first report of its kind in the country providing a comprehensive overview and analysis of the domestic legislative framework for dealing with hate crimes, initiatives implemented to date, and identifying areas for improving domestic practice and bringing it closer in line with international and OSCE standards. The report offers recommendations for law enforcement, governmental authorities, judicial authorities and civil society on how to prevent and respond to bias-motivated crimes.
“Hate crimes tend to target the most vulnerable groups in society,” said Kobieracki. “In Bosnia and Herzegovina, these crimes often undermine the efforts made to promote return and reintegration.”
He stressed that preventing and effectively addressing hate crimes is vital to ensuring respect for fundamental human rights, promoting security, ensuring sustainable peace, and building cohesive societies. “As we approach International Day for Tolerance this coming Friday, we should all be reminded that fostering mutual understanding and tolerance is key to achieving lasting security.”
Kobieracki emphasized that the OSCE would continue working with all stakeholders to en-sure adequate responses to these crimes in the OSCE region.
The full report can be downloaded at http://www.oscebih.org/documents/osce_bih_doc_2012111310235235eng.pdf