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Three decisions issued by Elections Appeals Sub-Commission in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 22 August 2000
SARAJEVO, 22 August 2000 - The Election Appeals Sub-Commission in Bosnia and Herzegovina is issuing three decisions, all referrals from the Provisional Election Commission. Pursuant to Article 4.30(a) of the PEC Rules and Regulations, the decisions of the Elections Appeals Sub-Commission are final and cannot be appealed.
In the first decision, a group of five Roma were allegedly attacked by SDA supporters in Banovici after the municipal elections. This matter involves criminal charges for violations of public peace and order and alleged human rights violations by two local police officers. The local police are investigating and have charged several persons with criminal violations. The IPTF and the local police are jointly investigating the allegations of human rights violations by the local police and they are the appropriate agencies to do so. The Elections Appeals Sub-Commission dismissed this complaint.
The second decision deals with an appeal to the 18 February 2000 decision of the Provisional Election Commission to remove BiH Municipal Election Commission members for their participation in the fraud that occurred during the Croatian elections held in Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year. Tomo Vukoja, a Municipal Election Commission member from Prozor-Rama and one of the persons who was removed, appealed the Provisional Election Commission decision to the Elections Appeals Sub-Commission. His appeal could not overcome the evidence submitted by international observers during the Croatian elections, therefore the decision of the Provisional Election Commission to remove Tomo Vukoja is upheld.
The third decision concerns allegations that Abid Kalkan, an elected municipal councillor from the BiH Patriotic Party (BPS) in Foca/Ustikolina, has obstructed the return of Serbs to Foca/Ustikolina and the implementation of election results. Local and international leaders in the area requested he be removed from his elected position of municipal councillor. The Elections Appeals Sub-Commission finds that Kalkan's behaviour was in violation of Provisional Election Commission Rules and Regulations concerning the implementation of election results and contrary to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, his actions were not so severe as to prevent the municipality from being certified by the Provisional Election Commission on 25 July, nor did his actions interfere with any returns. The Election Appeals Sub-Commission censures Abid Kalkan for his actions. In addition, the Sub-Commission retains jurisdiction over this case and admonishes Mr. Kalkan that any further disruptions or other similar behaviour will result in further action by the Election Appeals Sub-Commission, as provided for in Article 4.25(b) of the Provisional Elections Commission Rules and Regulations.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
For more information please call OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at 033/292-222 or 066/144-311.
In the first decision, a group of five Roma were allegedly attacked by SDA supporters in Banovici after the municipal elections. This matter involves criminal charges for violations of public peace and order and alleged human rights violations by two local police officers. The local police are investigating and have charged several persons with criminal violations. The IPTF and the local police are jointly investigating the allegations of human rights violations by the local police and they are the appropriate agencies to do so. The Elections Appeals Sub-Commission dismissed this complaint.
The second decision deals with an appeal to the 18 February 2000 decision of the Provisional Election Commission to remove BiH Municipal Election Commission members for their participation in the fraud that occurred during the Croatian elections held in Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year. Tomo Vukoja, a Municipal Election Commission member from Prozor-Rama and one of the persons who was removed, appealed the Provisional Election Commission decision to the Elections Appeals Sub-Commission. His appeal could not overcome the evidence submitted by international observers during the Croatian elections, therefore the decision of the Provisional Election Commission to remove Tomo Vukoja is upheld.
The third decision concerns allegations that Abid Kalkan, an elected municipal councillor from the BiH Patriotic Party (BPS) in Foca/Ustikolina, has obstructed the return of Serbs to Foca/Ustikolina and the implementation of election results. Local and international leaders in the area requested he be removed from his elected position of municipal councillor. The Elections Appeals Sub-Commission finds that Kalkan's behaviour was in violation of Provisional Election Commission Rules and Regulations concerning the implementation of election results and contrary to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, his actions were not so severe as to prevent the municipality from being certified by the Provisional Election Commission on 25 July, nor did his actions interfere with any returns. The Election Appeals Sub-Commission censures Abid Kalkan for his actions. In addition, the Sub-Commission retains jurisdiction over this case and admonishes Mr. Kalkan that any further disruptions or other similar behaviour will result in further action by the Election Appeals Sub-Commission, as provided for in Article 4.25(b) of the Provisional Elections Commission Rules and Regulations.
The OSCE established its present Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 18 December 1995. In accordance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP), the OSCE Mission activities are to: promote Democratization and the building of a vibrant civil society, foster the development of professional journalism and monitor the rights of journalists, monitor and advance the Human Rights situation, supervise the conduct of Elections, and encourage Regional Stabilization through arms control and confidence and security-building measures. The OSCE Mission continues to work closely with other international organizations and local institutions to implement the Dayton Peace Accords.
For more information please call OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at 033/292-222 or 066/144-311.