OSCE Representative expresses concern for safety of journalists in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, following recent ICTY war crimes sentencing

VIENNA, 5 December 2017 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today called on the authorities in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina to investigate numerous death threats against journalists and ensure their safety, following the recent conclusion of a war crimes court case at the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

“I strongly condemn all threats against journalists, especially those aimed at silencing them. Authorities have an obligation to ensure that journalists have safe working conditions, and that persons threatening them are prosecuted,” Désir said.

According to journalists’ organizations in the two countries and numerous reports, many reporters and media outlets received messages containing various threats of abuse and violence, including death threats.

Among those who received threats were journalists from Croatia’s Index.hr portal who received a number of very serious insults and death threats on social media. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, journalists Sanel Kajan and Štefica Galić from Al Jazeera and the tacno.net portal respectively, were targeted with numerous threats on social networks, including threats of death and rape.

According to the information available, these and many other cases have been reported to police in the respective countries.

“I call on the authorities to condemn attacks at the highest level and conduct a swift investigation of all threats,” Désir said, adding that journalists have a right to report even on difficult issues.

The Representative also supports prompt public reactions by the Journalists’ Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Croatian Journalists’ Association.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.