BH Journalists call on BiH MFA to insist on official explanation for Avdi Avdić's entry ban to Croatia

(Patria) - The BH Journalists Association announced today that it is deeply concerned by the fact that representatives of the ruling parties Trojka and HDZ in the House of Representatives of the FBiH Parliament did not support the Declaration on the condemnation of the ban on journalist Avdi Avdić's entry into Croatia, even though it is a case that directly affects freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and the safety of journalists.

This outcome of the parliamentary debate, BH Journalists point out, represents a failure of the institution to react on principle and without political calculations to the obvious violation of international human rights standards, as well as its own readiness to publicly send a clear message about the protection of journalists and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

"As the highest legislative and representative body, the Federal Parliament does not have the luxury of political neutrality or 'abstinence' regarding the protection of the rights of any person in the Federation of BiH, including journalist Avdić, whose rights the Croatian state has brutally violated.

Particularly concerning is the fact that the non-adoption of a unified reaction in the FBiH Parliament is the result of political preferences of certain parties and their representatives, rather than respect for the constitutional provisions of this entity that protect the entire spectrum of human rights and freedoms, including the right to freedom of movement and freedom of expression," the statement reads.

In this context, BH Journalists emphasize that the FBiH Parliament, as well as other executive and legislative bodies, have a duty to protect the constitutional rights of journalists' freedom on principle and comprehensively within the state borders, as well as outside them, if other countries violate them.

Any other course of action relativizes the responsibility of the entity and the state in protecting media freedom, and normalizes institutional silence in the face of an extremely worrying legal precedent supported by the Croatian authorities.

BH Journalists remind that journalist and editor of the portal Istraga.ba Avdi Avdić was banned from entering Croatia on November 12, 2025, without any officially explained reason.

To date, Croatian authorities and competent institutions have not responded to requests for clarification of this decision, although institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the regional network SafeJournalists and the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) have officially approached them.

"The ban on a BiH journalist entering Croatia without a clear explanation represents a dangerous and unacceptable precedent in EU member states.

According to the European Convention on Human Rights and the standards of the Council of Europe, EU countries have a positive obligation to protect freedom of expression, media freedom, and the safety of journalists, and any restriction of these rights must be lawful, necessary, and clearly explained.

As an EU member, the Republic of Croatia has a higher degree of responsibility to not only formally respect these standards but also to consistently apply them in practice.

A ban on entry to the territory of an EU member state, made without a clear legal basis and transparent procedure, can have a security-worrying effect not only on journalist Avdić but also on the entire journalistic community in the Western Balkan region," BH Journalists state.

They publicly called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH to immediately reactivate the previously sent letter to the Croatian Embassy in BiH and insist on a clear, written, and official explanation for Avdi Avdić's entry ban, and to inform the public in a timely manner about the outcome of this procedure.

"We emphasize that it is the MFA's obligation to protect the rights of all citizens of BiH in such cases, regardless of their profession," BH Journalists said.