The debate was attended by over 50 participants: representatives from 35 NGOs throughout B&H (coming from both entities), 4 representatives of Ombudsmen for Human Rights in B&H, one representative of the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees in B&H and the representative of Swiss Embassy in Sarajevo, who’s a donor of the project “UPR Process – Occasion to Strengthen Civil Society and Human Rights in B&H”, implemented by HRH Sarajevo.

The opening of the debate was made by the president of the Board of HRH Sarajevo, Srdjan Dizdarevic. He proposed a daily agenda of the public debate, which was adopted by all 50 participants. Further on, he gave brief introduction to UPR concept and mechanism and presented so far implemented activities in behalf of HRH Sarajevo regarding the UPR process in B&H. Regional seminar in Dubrovnik, two meetings of the Working Group for UPR, one meeting with journalists, press conference and national consultations with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees in B&H were mentioned. Also, future, up-coming activities and aims and outcomes of the UPR project, were also presented.

Following was a short presentation of the Draft of the Joint Report made by members of Informal coalition of NGOs in B&H for UPR, facilitated by Human Rights House Sarajevo.

The interest for the Joint NGO Report was vast and more than 20 participants have made their own presentations of the comments and suggestions for the report, in behalf of the non-governmental organizations they are coming from. Issues such as discrimination, sustainable return, children rights, and rights of persons with disabilities, were raised and taken in consideration.

The issue of decertified policemen and issue of old foreign currency savers, were pointed out as well, and as it was decided later on, because of the complexity of the cases, these two NGOs will make their own individual reports to OHCHR, with help and assistance of Human Rights House Sarajevo.

All suggestion and comments on the Draft of the Joint NGO Report, will be taken in consideration and overviewed by the members of the previously established Editor Group for UPR, that consists of 5 members of the NGOs throughout B&H:

  • Vesna Vukmanic – ICVA B&H;
  • Indira Bajramovic – Association of Roma Women “Bolja buducnost”;
  • Milena Savic – Center for Informative and Legal Help from Republic of Srpska, B&H;
  • Sasa Madacki – Center for Human Rights B&H;
  • Srdjan Dizdarevic – Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in B&H.

The Editor Group will revise the joint NGO report, taking in consideration all made suggestions by other NGOs in B&H, by July 17th.

However, according to the words of Srdjan Dizdarevic, this is not the end of public debate on the joint NGO report for UPR. The report will be open for suggestions until September 1st, and NGOs in B&H are encouraged by then, to submit their suggestions and comments to HRH Sarajevo. 

Documents:

  • Draft of the Joint NGO Report

    Draft of the report conducted by the Informal coalition of NGOs for UPR (in Bosnian).

    • More info:

    UPR Project – Official HRH webpage

    Photos:

     Public debate on the Draft of the Joint NGO Report for UPR, Hotel Hollywood, Ilidza – Sarajevo, June 9th 2009