Exactly ten years ago, on February 11, 1995, 55 founders of the Helsinki Committee gathered in one of the spaces of the National Theatre in Sarajevo, and adopted a decision to establish the first non-governmental organization in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a mission to protect and promote human rights and freedoms. They took this decision in the midst of the besieged city of Sarajevo, guided by their belief that such an organization that would gather the citizens on such a basis, would indeed be more than necessary in Bosnia and Herzegovina, once it starts healing its war wounds and establishing a democratic society in which each and every individual would and should enjoy all the rights provided for in international conventions.
In the past decade, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina tried to provide protection and support to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of their national, ethnic, religious or political affiliation or gender, relying exclusively on the international standards that had been accepted by Bosnia and Herzegovina when taking the commitment to honor them. Unfortunately, Helsinki Committee had to react in numerous cases of violation of human rights, and activists of this organization tried to assist the authorities of the country in meeting their obligations, and in making a step forward that was so very much needed if we were to see the values long ago accepted by civilized world prevail in our country.
All this time, they have been guided by the criteria of impartiality and objectivity.
To date, about 33,000 citizens of BH have asked for assistance and received it from the Helsinki Committee. Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in BH have organized eight Schools of Human Rights for youth, dozens of seminars, round tables, public debates, all with a view to improve the human rights situation and empower the citizens in their fight for their rights. The Helsinki Committee has become visible in public by its determination to stigmatize any instance of violation of human rights, and by its readiness to openly name without any calculation the negative phenomena and those implicated in them.
Tomorrow at 12:00 pm, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights organizes the Solemn Observance of the Tenth Anniversary. It will take place in the National Theatre in Sarajevo.
