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OSCE criticizes HDZ decision not to co-operate in election implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO 15 February 2001
SARAJEVO, 15 February 2001 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina criticizes the decision of the HDZ-BiH not to cooperate in the implementation of election results at the state and Federation institutions, as is stipulated both under the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP - the Dayton Agreement) and the state and Federation constitutions.
"The HDZ has been given every opportunity to participate in the state, entity and cantonal legislative bodies - including the Houses of Peoples at the state and Federation level - in order to implement the November election results," stated OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Robert L. Barry. "In no democracy can parties pick and choose what laws and rules they want to obey and which ones they choose to dismiss. The only way to modify the system is from within - there is no room in a democracy for threats, boycotts, and withdrawals from government. If there were, the system would constantly be held hostage by competing interests linked to narrow political motives."
No one can question that the BiH Croats, like the other constituent peoples of BiH, are entitled to the highest level of internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights of language, religion and culture. These rights can only be ensured, however, through participation in legislative bodies at all levels, since it is only through these legitimately elected bodies that the vital interests of all peoples in BiH can be properly protected.
One important means of doing this is by ensuring the implementation of the decision of the Constitutional Court on the equality of the three constituent peoples in both entities. However, if the HDZ refuses to participate in the institutions that will be discussing these important issues, their positions will simply not be heard - to the detriment of all who voted for them in November.
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 further information, please contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at (++387/33) 292-449
"The HDZ has been given every opportunity to participate in the state, entity and cantonal legislative bodies - including the Houses of Peoples at the state and Federation level - in order to implement the November election results," stated OSCE Head of Mission Ambassador Robert L. Barry. "In no democracy can parties pick and choose what laws and rules they want to obey and which ones they choose to dismiss. The only way to modify the system is from within - there is no room in a democracy for threats, boycotts, and withdrawals from government. If there were, the system would constantly be held hostage by competing interests linked to narrow political motives."
No one can question that the BiH Croats, like the other constituent peoples of BiH, are entitled to the highest level of internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights of language, religion and culture. These rights can only be ensured, however, through participation in legislative bodies at all levels, since it is only through these legitimately elected bodies that the vital interests of all peoples in BiH can be properly protected.
One important means of doing this is by ensuring the implementation of the decision of the Constitutional Court on the equality of the three constituent peoples in both entities. However, if the HDZ refuses to participate in the institutions that will be discussing these important issues, their positions will simply not be heard - to the detriment of all who voted for them in November.
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 further information, please contact OSCE Spokesperson Luke Zahner at (++387/33) 292-449