Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina reacted today against the statement of Milorad Dodik (right), when he told the BHT on 13 September “I will simply not have various gay men walking into my office”, as reported by FENA (Federal News Agency). (20-SEP-07)

This article is based on the press release issued by the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The release has been edited for publication here by HRH / Mirsad Pandzic.

The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina denounced the statement of the president of the Republika Srpska Government, in which he demonstrated a discriminatory attitude towards gay people. The statement of Milorad Dodik is an expression of intolerance of other and different people, and represents an unacceptable and uncivilized attitude towards the gay community.

The Helsinki Committee underlined, in the press release, the particular responsibility of holders of government offices to work on respect for and promotion of equality of all citizens regardless of their race, skin colour, national or religious background or affiliation, language, political opinion, sex, sexual identity, sexual orientation, financial status, birth, medical condition, disability, marital status or other personal features.

They concluded that, by his statement, Premier Dodik obviously discriminated one category of our fellow citizens and inspired hate and intolerance towards this category, which is absolutely unacceptable from the point of view of the imperative of protection of and respect for human rights and freedoms.