First Conference of National Minorities of BiH Held in Sarajevo

(Patria) - The Council of National Minorities of BiH, in cooperation with the OSCE Mission to BiH and the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH, organized the First Conference of National Minorities of BiH today at the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

The aim of the meeting is to improve the cooperation of the Council of National Minorities of BiH with associations of national minorities operating in BiH, as well as the support of competent institutions for the cultural cooperation of national minorities in BiH.

The First Conference, held through two thematic panels, was an opportunity for numerous representatives of associations of national minorities in BiH, representatives of institutions at all levels of government in BiH, and representatives of embassies of countries with recognized national minorities in BiH and the international community to exchange views, attitudes, and experiences on the rights, position, and interests of national minorities in BiH, as well as on the functioning and work of associations of national minorities in BiH.

Opening the Conference with an introductory presentation, the Chairman of the Council of National Minorities of BiH, Mujo Fafulić, stated that such gatherings represent an important step towards building mutual understanding and respect among members of national minorities in BiH, and significantly contribute to creating a more inclusive and just society for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He emphasized that minority representatives have chosen Bosnia and Herzegovina as their first homeland, and expressed hope that their status and position will improve in the future, especially, as he pointed out, when it comes to their representation at all levels of government in the country.

The Conference participants were also addressed by a Member of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, Rejhana Dervišević, who, on behalf of the Joint Committee on Human Rights of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, stated that this committee, within its competences, will continue to provide assistance to national minorities.

She conveyed that minorities and cultural diversity are an important segment of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that respecting the human rights of every individual is a driver of progress in a modern society.

In the introductory part of the Conference, the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Ambassador Brian Aggeler, also addressed the participants and guests, stating that the OSCE Mission to BiH remains committed to working on improving and promoting the rights of minorities in BiH.

He emphasized that respecting the rights of all individuals, including members of national minorities, is not only a moral imperative but also a significant factor in building peace, justice, stability, and democracy.

According to him, Bosnia and Herzegovina has taken important steps regarding the legislative framework in the field of human rights.

He also highlighted the weaknesses in the implementation of these legal solutions, as well as the non-enforcement of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which stipulate the abolition of discriminatory provisions against representatives of national minorities in BiH.

During the conference, participants also presented certain proposals for solutions and modalities that would improve the work and functioning of associations and councils of national minorities in BiH.

Emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation between councils and minority associations, as well as cooperation with local authorities, competent institutions, and international organizations, attendees concluded that the work of councils, as advisory bodies, must clearly articulate the needs and demands of minority associations, and stressed that cooperation between councils and institutions must aim at more active participation of councils in the process of drafting and adopting legal and other acts, primarily in the part relating to the political, cultural, and all other rights of minorities.

Participants also agreed on the importance of working to remove certain administrative and procedural obstacles regarding access to grants, which, as emphasized, finance projects that address the problems faced by national minorities in their local communities, including the presence of stereotypes and discrimination, trends of assimilation and misuse of national self-identification, the problem of education, preservation of language and culture, as well as representation in the media and greater visibility in public space.