EU supported project “Supporting Minority Victims of Discrimination in Accessing their Human Rights” completed

The EU supported project ‘Supporting Minority Victims of Discrimination in Accessing their Human Rights’ saw its final conference on 29th June in Sarajevo. The project contributed to reducing discrimination of minority communities and providing legal support to the victims of discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In his opening remarks, Massimo Mina, Head of Operation Section for Social Development, Civil Society and Cross-Border Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union noted the importance of addressing the discrimination issues of minorities in BiH and the required efforts to improve mechanisms ensuring fulfilment of national minorities’ human rights in the country.
“Progress in protecting national minorities has been made at all levels of government in the country. However, the implementation of national minority laws remains weak, especially in the fields of culture, education and participation mechanism. National minorities and those who do not identify themselves as belonging to one of the three constituent peoples are still deprived of the possibility to acceding to certain political offices at state level, said Mina.

He also stressed the EU’s strong engagement and assistance in terms of ensuring full protection of minority rights in the country as it is essential for those countries aspiring for EU membership.
“In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU supports human rights and democracy through two financial instruments – the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). The financial assistance deployed by the EU to Bosnia and Herzegovina has contributed to achieving positive results in strengthening the support for minorities”, Mina concluded, adding that the EU will continue to provide support to BiH and the Western Balkans countries aspiring for EU membership, in their efforts to improve the situation of minorities through monitoring and implementation mechanisms as well as with the significant financial assistance.

Mark Lattimer, MRG Executive Director stressed that the situation is bad and has remained unchanged for the last 20 years when it comes to discrimination of minorities in BiH. “The rights of minorities in BiH are still being violated due to the lack of political will to change the constitutional framework in BiH. The time is ripe to apply a serious approach towards the implementation of the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights”, Lattimer said.

President of the Jewish Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a member of the Council of National Minorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina Jakob Finci addressed the participants underlining the necessity of immediate actions to be taken by BiH authorities regarding the implementation of the ‘Sejdic-Finci vs BiH’ case since it is crucial for the county’s path towards the EU.
Nedžad Jusić, Member of the Council of National Minorities at the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH recognized the value of the project as well as the need to enhance the participation of Roma population in political and economic life.

“During the project we have held numerous meetings with Roma representatives discussing the issue of inadequate Roma participation in policy-making concerning Roma issues. The first step to be taken is to have national minorities represented at the Council of National Minorities in BiH”, Jusić stated.

The conference was followed by a panel discussion where the participants and distinguished panellists had an opportunity to discuss anti-discriminatory measures and promotion of national minority rights in the country.

The conference and panel discussion were attended by representatives of the relevant government institutions, civil society organisations, media, and beneficiary organisations.

The total budget of the EU Programme ‘Supporting Minority Victims of Discrimination in Accessing their Human Rights’ amounts to EUR 276 588 out of which EUR 195 000 were provided by the European Union. The project is implemented by the Minority Rights Group International (MRG) from London, UK in close cooperation with its partners Human Rights House Sarajevo (HRHS) and The Serbian Civic Council Movement for Equality – Sarajevo Canton (SCCS).

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