Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a part of the project „Elections for the Future – the Brussels Phase“, financed by the Federal Republic of Germany – Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, conducting monitoring of the pre-election  campaign. Results of this monitoring will be published weekly. On Friday, September 15, Helsinki Committee published Press release on their findings. (18-SEP-06)

This article is based on the Helsinki Committee press release, which has republicated here by HRH / Mirsad Pandzic.

The election campaign has been going on for 15 days in the spirit of efforts of political subjects to win sympathies of voters by insisting on their rivals’ weaknesses and attempts to discredit them. Moreover, political tensions are being elevated intentionally for purposes of homogenisation of the electorate, by raising of extremely controversial issues aiming at radicalisation and polarization of the public. Notwithstanding rare exceptions, the campaign is not being used for presentation of the parties’ programmes, abilities of candidates on the lists, nor are the major issues, such as employment, health care, education, visa regime … being treated seriously.

Campaign
It is indicative that neither the 12 requests of the GROZD movement Civic Platform have been mentioned in the campaign, despite the fact that this platform was signed by over 420,000 citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A clear and convincing presentation of the future deputies’ and their parties’ plans for concrete actions, aiming at resolving of open and major problems, are lacking also.

Hate speech and hate stimulation vocabulary are being used at some rallies.

This campaign is once again marked by the poster-war. Posters are being glued onto those of other parties, and they are being plastered onto places not reserved for such purposes.

Central Election Commision
A dissonance in statements of members of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been observed. It is regretful that the Central Election Commission does not have a single interpretation of the Election Law, which is detrimental for the campaign.

Electronic media
In the first half of the campaign, most attention was paid to the media representation, in relation to direct addresses of citizens at pre-election rallies, although it can be expected the number of rallies to increase as we get closer to the election day. Hence the particular importance of media in this year’s campaign. On the basis of insight gained, it can be concluded that most electronic media operate in compliance with legal provisions and other relevant regulation. However, some broadcasters have failed to comply with the impartiality principle and tend to favour certain parties and candidates. Especially concerning is the dialogue facilitation manner in TV debates. The lack of tolerance is obvious, and participants frequently start open fights, which are not free of offences, sending a message to the public about irreconcilable differences dating from the years of the war.

Printed media
The failure to comply with professional standards and objectivity principle has been observed in the printed media, which are operating on the principle of self-regulation. From the aspect of human rights, particularly concerning are some articles in the “Avaz” daily, which are promoting national intolerance and are harshly offending and trying to discredit some election candidates.

Appeal
The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina once again urged all candidates and representatives of political parties, as well as journalists, to refrain from use of hate speech and incitement of national, religious and every other type of exclusion and intolerance.