The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina has, on a number of occasions, appealed against the devastating separation of school-age children based on ethnicity. Despite all activities and appeals, the problem has escalated at the beginning of this school year, to the extent that we now have a practice of open segregation and apartheid in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The cases of physical separation of pupils into separate schools in Capljina, Prozor/Rama, Stolac are the latest acts of a persevering and dangerous project within the ruling parties’ nationalistic programmes. In the towns mentioned, the coalition partners have agreed and decided so.

Reminding that the decisions were made contrary to the Framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education, which was adopted at the state level in June 2003, and that they are totally contrary to the international documents on human rights, the Helsinki Committee is urging the democratic public in Bosnia and Herzegovina to raise their voices against such uncivilized behaviour that will most certainly have long-lasting consequences. Disabling children to meet others and those different from them is turned directly against coexistence and tolerance. It feeds intolerance and hatred and paves the way for some further conflicts, known to us from the recent past. While the world is celebrating the dates marking the end of segregation and apartheid, this anachronistic practice is becoming openly established in our country.

The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina is also requesting from the authorities at all levels to stop such practice and insist on compliance with relevant laws and international documents.