OSCE Mission to BiH’s Head urges authorities to listen to legitimate demands for reforms, encourages constructive dialogue

SARAJEVO, 11 February 2014 - The protests of the past few days in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Mostar and other cities across Bosnia and Herzegovina have highlighted serious economic, social and political difficulties in the country, the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Ambassador Fletcher M. Burton, said today.

“The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina recognizes the basic right of the people to peacefully and lawfully demonstrate, assemble and protest. This is one of the fundamental freedoms at the heart of our Organization.

“We strongly condemn violence directed against people or properties, and the excessive use of force by anyone.

“We encourage the authorities at all levels in BiH to listen to legitimate and peacefully expressed demands for reforms,” said Burton.

He emphasized that a constructive dialogue between government leaders and citizens should be the basis for progress within a democratic and peaceful environment, leading to effective and sustainable solutions.