Ahead of International Human Rights Day, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina focuses attention on rights situation of marginalized groups

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), in co-operation with the University of Banjaluka’s Faculty of Political Science, on 6 December 2016 organized a conference in Banjaluka highlighting the problems facing the country’s marginalized communities. The event was held to mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

Discussions aimed to draw the public’s attention to the difficulties and challenges facing marginalized individuals and groups since the 1995 signing of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH.

Taking part in the event were representatives of human rights organizations, the government, civil society and academia.

They discussed the rights situation for people with disabilities, religious minorities as well as the role of the media in the protection of human rights. Participants noted that while important steps are being made towards realizing civil and political rights, the realization of economic and social rights continues to lag behind, posing a serious threat to the equal enjoyment of basic human rights such as the right to social protection, healthcare and work without discrimination.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Jonathan Moore stated: “Tolerance is important, but is not enough. We need to build deep and abiding understanding and respect for human rights. The Mission will continue to promote and support the implementation of anti-discriminatory regulations, laws, policies and practices by working closely with partner institutions and organizations including a number of NGOs."

International Human Rights Day marks the day when in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.