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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE commends adoption of the Law on Peaceful Assembly in Una-Sana Canton
Publishing date: 24 January 2024
SARAJEVO, 24 January 2024- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) commends the Una-Sana Cantonal (USC) Assembly for yesterday’s adoption of the Law on Peaceful Assembly. Following a legislative process initiated in 2022, this represents an important step forward in aligning USC freedom of assembly laws with international human rights standards. The Mission is committed to assisting all authorities across BiH in improving their legislative protections of fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly. The Mission further recognizes the dedicated efforts and collaboration of the USC Ministry of Interior in the development and adoption of this law and remains available to support all relevant authorities in the proper implementation of this legislation.
OSCE condemns cyber-attack on portal Buka
Publishing date: 23 January 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Media freedom and development
SARAJEVO, 23 January 2024- As yet unidentified parties have been conducting cyber-attacks against BUKA's website for the past two weeks, affecting everyday operations and their ability to provide timely information to the public. To safeguard media freedom, the OSCE Mission to BiH calls on authorities to respond swiftly, per their respective mandates, to counter these escalating threats.
OSCE Mission to BiH condemns the attack on the journalist and editor of Times.ba
Publishing date: 19 January 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Media freedom and development
SARAJEVO, 19 January 2024- The OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) condemns the 12 January attack on the journalist and editor of Times.ba, Mirza Dervišević, in Brčko District of BiH (BD). The Mission commends the prompt reaction by the BD authorities in identifying and detaining a suspected perpetrator and expects the proper further processing of this incident. The Mission reiterates that all media professionals must be guaranteed a safe working environment, in which all fundamental rights and freedoms are fully protected and respected.
Nearly 30 years following the end of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, war victims remain neglected
Publishing date: 18 January 2024
A joint op-ed by Bojana Urumova, Head of Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo; Johann Sattler, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, and Ingrid Macdonald, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina
OSCE Mission to BiH reaction to hate- and bias-motivated incidents
Publishing date: 10 January 2024
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) condemns all actions and speech driven by bias or hatred and notes with growing concern the recent surge of such incidents in certain locations in Republika Srpska in conjunction with Serbian Orthodox Christmas and the unconstitutional Day of Republika Srpska, as well as in the Federation of BiH.
OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina statement ahead of 9 January
Publishing date: 4 January 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) emphasizes that the official sponsorship and support by the government of Republika Srpska of the celebration of the so-called “Day of Republika Srpska” on 9 January not only constitutes an act of discrimination. The 26 November 2015 ruling of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina determine this is clearly unconstitutional, as it directly contravenes the constitutions of both Bosnia and Herzegovina and of Republika Srpska itself.
OSCE: Increased threats to media freedom, law reform and decriminalization of defamation are crucial
Publishing date: 31 December 2023
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Media freedom and development
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina responded to an inquiry from the Federal News Agency (FENA) on the state of the media and media freedoms in BiH in 2023, the current biggest challenges in this regard, and steps forward.