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Serious Human Rights Concerns in Kosovo Must Be Addressed
The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) has been following the human rights situation in Kosovo since the 1980s and has reported on human rights violations there. The IHF has visited Kosovo three times since March 2004. Last mission was organized from 18 to 22 June 2006. The IHF Secretariat based in Vienna and the member Committees from Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Croatia, Kosovo Serbia took part. (26-JUN-06)
Withdrawal of citizenship must not result in human rights violations
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Amnesty International and the International Committee for Human Rights expressed concern today that the activities of the Bosnia and Herzegovina State Commission for the Revision of Decisions on Naturalization of Foreign Citizens, which began its work in March 2006, may result in the transfer of persons to countries where they would be at risk of grave human rights violations. (15-JUN-06)
Regional Youth School of Human Rights
The seventh Regional Youth School of Human Rights, organized as a part of cooperation between Norwegian Helsinki Committee and Committees in the Western Balkans, which gathers young people from Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo and FYR Macedonia, took place from 24 to 29 May of this year in Zajecar (Serbia). The basic topics explored in this School were prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination. (09-JUN-06)
Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), at the press conference, has announced direct elections in BiH, which will take place on 1 October 2006 in accord with the existing Constitution of BiH and the Election Law. These elections will be held in line with the BiH Election Law, which has recently undergone significant changes. (12-MAY-06)
Anti-discrimination – a joint task
The NGO sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina has launched an initiative for drafting of an anti-discrimination law in this country. Adoption of the anti-discrimination law is not only an obligation of Bosnia and Herzegovina by international standards for the purpose of joining the European integration, but also a necessity and an urgent task of the general public of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (17-APR-06)
Slobodan Milosevic: Rest in Peace?
After death had found him on 11 March 2006 in his detention cell in The Hague, Slobodan Milosevic (right), a former president of Serbia and the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia was buried in his hometown of Pozarevac on 18 March 2006. Reactions from the region to the death of Slobodan Milosevic varied. While some expressed frustration and regrets that the main player and the mind behind crimes had not lived to be punished by the Tribunal, which led to another case of justice not done, others glorified the personality of Slobodan Milosevic. (21-MAR-06)
Roma’s right
– To exercise the right to a home in this society is equal to an “act of heroism” even for “ordinary” citizens, but particularly for the Roma population. This sometimes borders with the impossible, despite its in fact being a fundamental right, says Branka Inic (right) Lawyer in the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (10-MAR-06)
Chance for apologize or new beginning?
The women of Bosnia and Herzegovina will, once again, on this 8 March raise their voice and say out loud that they want their human rights. Their position today is extremely difficult and not at all enviable. Women are discriminated against to a great extent in all spheres of life. They will, on this particular date, perhaps get a rose or a gift, instead of an apology. This small manifestation of attention will surely not improve their situation. (08-MAR-06)
Christian Schwarz-Schilling, the new High Representative
On 31 January 2006, Bosnia and Herzegovina received the new, fifth High Representative – Christian Schwarz-Schilling (right). Schwarz-Schilling has been engaged in work with Bosnia and Herzegovina for a long time already, having worked as a mediator during and after the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His appointment to the post of the High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina was welcomed by many citizens, who recognized him as a true friend of this country. (21-FEB-06)