Presidents of all 12 parties of the Croat People's Assembly (HNS) of Bosnia and Herzegovina sent a letter today to the public and relevant representatives of the international community, in which they point out that these days we are witnessing "extremely aggressive and deeply worrying rhetoric by the Bosniak political leadership regarding the announcements of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) on amendments to the Constitution of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Election Law".
- We expect that the Decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina U 23/14 will be implemented, thereby stopping the gross violation of the basic principles of democracy and the rule of law. The system of parity and power-sharing among representatives of the constituent peoples and all other citizens under the Washington Agreement and the Dayton Agreement is the basis of the political stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We hold that freedom of speech is a fundamental human and democratic right of every individual. However, we are concerned about the alarming amount of extremism and hate speech spread by certain Bosniak political leaders, well-coordinated groups on social media, but unfortunately also by certain media representatives. Calls for violent protests and conflicts must not be tolerated. We express concern over possible violent protests, especially bearing in mind the increasingly frequent attacks on Croat returnees and their symbols in Central Bosnia and other mixed areas.
Militaristic statements are annulling the democracy promotion as well as peacebuilding and state-building process in Bosnia and Herzegovina achieved thus far in the interest of all its constituent peoples, minorities, and all citizens.
We have been facing various forms of threats and incidents for years. Therefore, we believe that the time has come to firmly condemn hate speech that members of the Croat constituent people and political officials have been exposed to over the past several weeks.
Namely, hate speech and existing threats are explicit and made public, as well as directed toward the international community, whose actions are obviously intended to be discouraged with the aim of continuing political domination by the representatives of the largest Bosniak constituent people to the detriment of less numerous and minority communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would ultimately abolish the plurinational diversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
We believe that you share with us the vision of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a successful country, a future member state of the European Union, a country of equal constituent peoples and all citizens, as per the example of modern European countries with federal arrangements. As in certain European countries, the principles of power-sharing and parity are instruments that guarantee unity, cohesion and the assumptions of unified action in the achievement of common goals and prosperity in the interest of the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Unfortunately, such a vision of Bosnia and Herzegovina is clearly under threat today. By boycotting changes to the electoral legislation and threatening security, today more than ever, the public opinion is proving that the future, as well as political and civil rights of Croats as the least numerous constituent people, are at risk. The same applies to all minority communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are not allowed to equally participate in political life.
It is particularly concerning that parties and individuals who self-declaratively protect the so-called civic rights are also the loudest ones in the open call for violence and anti-constitutional behaviour on a daily basis. The impression that one gets is already proving itself to be true – their intention is to heist the seats that belong to the Croat constituent people and others in the House of Peoples of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as determined by the constitution. This is modelled after the usurpations in the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which threaten us now as well.
In contrast, we believe that all political systems should take into account the political demands of all nations and be an expression of general consensus in divided societies such as Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hegemony, hate speech and violence must have no place in daily politics.
Lastly, we believe that we can count on the cooperation with all key actors of the international community with the aim of reducing tensions, preventing violence, protecting against unconstitutional unitarist hegemony and militant nationalism that disrupts the public opinion, deepens inter-ethnic divisions, and threatens the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is concluded in a letter signed by the presidents of all parties that are members of the HNS.

We hold that freedom of speech is a fundamental human and democratic right of every individual

HNS: We have been facing various forms of threats and incidents for years

HNS concerned about the amount of extremism and hate speech spread by some Bosniak political leaders

Mostar marked the eighteenth anniversary of the reconstruction of the Old Bridge yesterday.

 

The Old Bridge was built way back in 1566, and was destroyed in the war in 1993. Its reconstruction was a demanding construction project, but also a project to restore the ties between the people from the two banks of the Neretva River that had been destroyed during the war.
The opening ceremony of the Old Bridge 18 years ago was attended by numerous guests from the country and delegations from more than 50 countries around the world. The television broadcast of the event on the Old Bridge was also taken over by some foreign television companies, while 22 planes landed at the Mostar Airport.
The former mayor of Mostar, Neven Tomić, then stated that the reconstruction of the Old Bridge means a lot for Mostar in a historical, cultural and economic sense.
For the reconstruction of the Old Bridge, the World Bank approved a cultural heritage loan for the first time, in the amount of four million dollars with a 10-year deferred payment, 35-year repayment, with an interest rate of 1.5 percent. The Italian government also gave three million dollars, the Turkish government gave two million dollars, the Dutch government gave one million dollars, while the City of Mostar participates in the entire project with two million dollars.
Among the first donors for the reconstruction was the Croatian Government with 600 thousand dollars. The Development Bank of the Council of Europe donated one million US dollars. France donated technical equipment and the preparation of project documentation for the reconstruction of the bridge.
One year after the solemn opening of the renovated bridge, on July 15, 2005, the Old Bridge was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List at the session in Durban, South Africa, which was the first entry of a monument from Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The opening ceremony of the Old Bridge 18 years ago was attended by numerous guests from the country and delegations from more than 50 countries around the world

On July 15, 2005, the Old Bridge was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List

Eighteenth anniversary of the reconstruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar

The European Commission announced on Friday that it has taken legal action against the UK for not complying with the Northern Ireland Protocol of the Brexit agreement.

The EU executive body launched four infringement procedures against the UK.
The bloc accuses the British government of failing to deliver on customs and VAT requirements, as well as for not implementing the EU regulation on excise duties in general and related to the trade of alcohol in particular.

The European Commission said in a press statement that it has refrained so far from taking legal action against the UK so that the partners could find joint solutions for the application of the Northern Ireland Protocol "in the spirit of constructive cooperation."
- The UK’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful discussion since last February and the continued passage of the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill through the UK Parliament go directly against this spirit - the statement noted.
If the UK fails to provide an acceptable answer for the shortfalls within two months, the European Commission will take the case to the EU Court of Justice as the next step of the procedure.
The EU and the UK have been in a dispute for years over the application of the Northern Ireland Protocol which established a special trade regime.

To avoid a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland in respect of the Good Friday Agreement, parties agreed that Northern Ireland would remain a part of the EU’s customs regime and the UK would apply customs checks.

The conflict has escalated last month after the British government revealed a bill that would allow disapplying important parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol by removing checks on a variety of goods transported to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.
The EU considers the draft as a breach of international law since it lays the ground for London to unilaterally disapply an agreement that has been signed by both parties.
The UK left the EU after 47 years of membership on Jan. 31, 2020.

EU Commission launches 4 infringement procedures for shortfalls in customs, duties, VAT

The EU executive body launched four infringement procedures against the UK

EU takes new legal action against UK over breaching Northern Ireland Protocol

US e-commerce and tech giant Amazon announced on Friday that it will soon start deliveries by drone in the states of California and Texas.

The company announced last month that it will offer drone deliveries to customers living in Lockeford, California, and the service will now be extended to College Station, Texas.
The company said it partnered with Texas A&amp;M University in College Station, which will be “at the forefront of the development of drone delivery technology,” College Station Mayor Karl Mooney said in a statement.
Amazon said its drones are capable of delivering packages up to five pounds (2.27 kilograms) in less than an hour.
They can fly at a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour (80.5 kilometers) and a maximum altitude of 400 feet (122 meters).

Company has partnered with Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas

Amazon said its drones are capable of delivering packages up to five pounds

Amazon to start drone deliveries in California, Texas

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told parliament on Wednesday that he will be leaving "with my head held high."
Johnson made his comments at his penultimate Prime Minister’s Questions, though he hinted it could be his last.
Last week, he announced to resign triggering a leadership contest in his Conservative Party.
Defended his record, Johnson said: "We got Brexit done," "we delivered the first vaccine in the world", and "played a decisive role in helping to protect the people of Ukraine from the brutal invasion of Vladimir Putin."

<h2>" I leave not at a time of my choosing"</h2>

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said Johnson was "totally deluded to the bitter end", adding: "I really am going to miss this weekly nonsense from him."

Johnson said in response that Starmer had “never come up with an idea”, before paying tribute to his opponent.
- It is possible this will be our last confrontation over this - Johnson said.&nbsp;- So I want to thank him. I want to thank him for the style in which he's conducted himself.- I think it would be fair to say he's been considerably less lethal than many other members of this House - Johnson joked, referring to members of his own party who forced him from his position.
Johnson said:&nbsp;- It is perfectly true that I leave not at a time of my choosing, it is absolutely true, but I am proud of the fantastic teamwork that has been involved in all of those projects both nationally and internationally, and I am also proud of the leadership that I have given.&nbsp;I will be leaving with my head held high.

Meanwhile, the government announced it would hold a vote of no confidence in itself.

Labour attempted to force a vote yesterday with a version that criticized Johnson, but the government refused, arguing that Johnson had already decided to resign. The decision prompted fury from Labour.
The government will instead hold a vote of no confidence in itself with different wording that would not involve Conservative MPs having to endorse Johnson personally, but simply the government in general instead.
A government spokesman told local media:&nbsp;- Labour were given the option to table a straightforward vote of no confidence in the government in keeping with convention. However, they chose not to.
- To remedy this we are tabling a motion which gives the house the opportunity to decide if it has confidence in the government. The government will always allow time for appropriate house matters whilst ensuring that it delivers parliamentary business to help improve people’s everyday lives.

Prime minister cited Brexit, vaccines, and Ukraine as examples of his successes in office

Johnson: I will be leaving with my head held high

High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Christian Schmidt, speaking at the commemoration of the 27th anniversary of the genocide against Bosniaks in the "UN Safe Area" Srebrenica, said that every time he comes to this holy place he feels a heavy burden, a burden of fatal aggression, against the youth who had so many hopes for the future, against men in the midst of their lives, in the midst of caring for their families, against the old who gathered all their life's achievements for future generations, against all of us, against the human race. 

Schmidt said that he also feels the burden of the failure of the international community, the failure to protect those who were exposed to the threat of being killed.

- Nothing that I can say here today will ease the pain of those who lost their husbands, their fathers, their sons, their brothers and members of their families. But we can pay tribute to those who will be buried here today. It is our sacred duty. What we can all do is to help prevent such pain from happening again - said Schmidt.

He added that they gathered in Potočari to honor the victims of the genocide.
- Whoever tries to deny that what happened here in Srebrenica, exactly in this place and its surroundings, whoever tries to say that this was not genocide, whoever tries to decrease the number of victims in an attempt to downplay the guilt, the scale of the crime, whoever does such things, lives cocooned in consciously chosen ignorance - Schmidt pointed out.

High Representative added that the behavior of all those who glorify war criminals "represents an insult to all the mourners and to all of us", and that "their behavior must be despised".

Christian Schmidt pointed out that the lessons we learned in Srebrenica must never be forgotten.
- We must all work in an effort to prevent this from happening again. This is something that we have to pass on to future generations, generations that deserve to know what happened here. Today is a day of mourning, today is a day of commemoration, but it is also a day of hope. The peaceful and prosperous future of people in this country is our greatest obligation - said High Representative Christian Schmidt.

Schmidt said that he also feels the burden of the failure of the international community, the failure to protect those who were exposed to the threat of being killed

Schmidt: The lessons we learned in Srebrenica must never be forgotten

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, spoke on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica.
Michel wrote on Twitter that 27 years have passed since the genocide in Srebrenica, one of the darkest events in modern European history.- Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families. This tragic anniversary is also a reminder: we must keep working together for peace in Europe and for Bosnia and Herzegovina to become part of the EU - wrote Michel.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">27 years since <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Srebrenica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Srebrenica</a> genocide, one of the darkest moments in modern European history. Our hearts &amp; thoughts are with the victims &amp; their families. This tragic anniversary is also a reminder: we must keep working together for peace in Europe &amp; for 🇧🇦 to become part of 🇪🇺 <a href="https://t.co/nZ6iJs81k4">pic.twitter.com/nZ6iJs81k4</a>&mdash; Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlesMichel/status/1546374477231144960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Our hearts and thoughts are with the victims and their families, wrote Michel

Michel: Srebrenica genocide was one of the darkest moments in modern European history

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said, in a message on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, that Europe shares the pain with the victims and their families, and that their fight deserves only admiration and respect.

- It is our common duty to remember the victims of the genocide committed in Srebrenica, one of the darkest chapters in the history of modern Europe. We share the pain and in our hearts we keep the courage and strength of those who survived - emphasized Borrell in a video address during the commemoration at the Potočari Memorial Center.

Peace should never be taken for granted, he added and stressed that "we must learn from the past and work to preserve peace, dignity and universal values".
- There is no place for denial of genocide, revisionism and glorification of war criminals. There can be no reconciliation without the recognition of the crime and the facts established by the court. The mothers of Srebrenica can serve as an inspiration to us, their pursuit of truth while searching for their loved ones has become a symbol of dignity. Their desire to see a future for new generations, which will be based on repentance and forgiveness, deserves our admiration and respect - said Borrell.

He added that, while keeping Srebrenica in its heart, the European Union firmly stands by BiH and the Western Balkans.

- The EU was built as a joint peace project. We want Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the European Union, but that largely depends on the leaders of this country and their determination to listen to the people and to celebrate peace and reconciliation - emphasized Borrell in a video message during the commemoration at the Potočari Memorial Center.

It is our common duty to remember the victims of the genocide committed in Srebrenica, said Borell

Borrell: While keeping Srebrenica in its heart, the EU firmly stands by BiH and Western Balkans

The systematic execution of almost 7,000 men, including young boys, and expulsion of women, children and elderly men, was an outrage to the world and a devastating tragedy for every relative who lost a father, a brother, a cousin, or a son. Some families perished completely. We remember the victims, but also those they left behind with such terrible sadness. They are foremost in our minds, said the Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Serge Brammertz, on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica.

<h2>The evidence from victims and witnesses was vital </h2>

As he said his office has prosecuted, and judges have convicted, many of those who were involved in the Srebrenica Genocide. These include Ratko Mladić and Radovan Karadžić, who were both sentenced to life imprisonment as key architects and executioners of the criminal plan to expel and murder the Bosnian Muslims of Srebrenica.

- The evidence from victims and witnesses was vital to these convictions. They lived through terrible events, and yet found the strength to come back and re-live them, in the very presence of those who had organised and executed these crimes. Today, 27 years after the Genocide at Srebrenica, we commemorate both their loss, and their strength in telling the world of the terrible events that took place. We say that we must learn the lessons of history, and yet the world seems to be in danger of forgetting those lessons. Still today we are faced with Genocide denial as well as the glorification of war criminals, which permeate the political discourse in the countries of the former Yugoslavia - said Brammertz.

<h2>Still, there are thousands of missing</h2>

He stressed that his office is committed to ensuring the world does not forget the horrors of Srebrenica. We continue to assist national prosecuting authorities in their pursuit of justice for victims and to push back against attempts to deny the Genocide took place, and the glorification of those who carried it out, publicly and privately.

- Today, another 50 victims will be buried in Potočari, but still there are thousands of missing whose remains have not been found yet. They cannot be forgotten, and searching for them is a humanitarian imperative. We must try to account for each and every victim. We will continue our fight for justice for all victims - concluded Brammertz.

Some families perished completely

Brammertz: We remember the victims, but also those they left behind with such terrible sadness

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson resigned as the Conservative leader on Thursday after his government was rocked by a series of resignations last two days.

Speaking in front of No. 10, Johnson said the timetable for the leadership contest will be announced next week.
- It is clearly not of the will of the parliamentary Conservative Party, that there should be a new leader of that party and that for a new prime minister, and I've agreed with Sir Graham Brady, the chairman of our backbench MPs that the process of choosing that new leader should begin now and the timetable will be announced next week - Johnson said.

<h2>Immensely proud of the achievements of this government</h2>

Announcing that he will remain in the office until the new leader is in place, Johnson said he is appointing new Cabinet members today.

He said that millions of people voted for the party in 2019 and thanked “for that incredible mandate, the biggest conservative majority since 1987.”
- And the reason I have fought so hard in the last few days to continue to deliver that mandate in person was not just because I wanted to do so because I felt it was my job - he added.
Johnson said he is "immensely proud of the achievements of this government from getting Brexit done to settling our relations with the continent for over half a century and reclaiming the power for this country to make its own laws in Parliament, getting us all through the pandemic, delivering the fastest vaccine rollout in Europe, the fastest exit from lockdown, and in the last few months, leading the West in standing up to Putin's aggression in Ukraine."

He reiterated the UK’s support for Ukraine, saying that his country "will continue to back your fight for freedom for as long as it takes."
Johnson said he has tried to “persuade my colleagues that it would be eccentric to change governments when we're delivering so much.”
- I regret not to have been successful in those arguments, and of course, it's painful, and not to be able to see through so many ideas and projects myself.&nbsp;He said:&nbsp;- But as we've seen, a Westminster the herd instinct is powerful when the hard moves, it moves. And my friends in politics, no one is remotely indispensable, and are brilliant and Darwinian system will produce another leader, equally committed to taking this country forward through tough times.

Johnson's resignation comes after 2 days of political storm, resignations in London

Boris Johnson resigns as Tory leader, says he will continue until new leader is in place

There have been no concrete contacts between Russia and the Vatican so far regarding Pope Francis’ visit to Moscow, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

- The visit at the highest level should be worked out, and preparations should precede. So far, as far as I know, there have been no substantive contacts in this regard - the Kremlin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a press briefing in Moscow, commenting on the pontiff’s desire to visit Moscow “as soon as possible” after his trip to Canada.
Peskov said that despite great demand, the Russian grain’s entry into global markets faces many obstacles due to the EU’s “illegal sanctions.”
About the talks being carried out with Türkiye’s mediation on creating corridors for the export of Ukraine’s grain, Peskov said the Defense Ministry made a relevant statement about the issue on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu said the Russian side had created two humanitarian corridors for the movement of civilian vessels, and that the mine danger in the water of the port of Mariupol had been completely eliminated.
Also on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his intentions to intensify contacts with Russia and Ukraine to create a grain corridor for the export of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports.

Spokesman says Russian grain’s entry into global markets faces many obstacles due to EU’s "illegal sanctions"

The visit at the highest level should be worked out

No Russia, Vatican contact yet on pope’s visit to Moscow

Türkiye expects the NATO summit in Madrid would "reiterate and reinforce solidarity, unity and cohesion among allies," the country’s foreign minister said on Tuesday.

- NATO's strong commitment to fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is essential - said Mevlut Cavusoglu in a video message shared by Antalya Diplomacy Forum’s social media account.

Cavusoglu said the "Madrid Summit is taking place at a crucial time," and the war in Ukraine has "global implications" and also "a challenge for transatlantic security."

- Our leaders will endorse the new strategic concept. This will shape our alliance’s vision for the next decade. While NATO keeps adapting to the ever-shifting security environment, our core principle remains unchanged; One for all, all for one, as stated by article five of the Washington Treaty - he added.
He further stressed that NATO's commitment to the fight against terrorism is also "valid for the applicant countries."

- All must respect the principles of solidarity and each other's security concerns. There can be no ifs or buts about it. I believe NATO will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead - he said.

Sweden, along with Finland, formally applied to join NATO last month, a decision spurred by Russia's war on Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24. But Türkiye, a longstanding member of the alliance, has voiced objections to the membership bids, criticizing the countries for tolerating and even supporting terrorist groups.

NATO's strong commitment to fight against terrorism in all forms, manifestations is essential, says top Turkish diplomat

Türkiye expects NATO summit to reinforce solidarity, unity, cohesion among allies

The European People's Party (EPP) announced yesterday that it strongly supports the candidate status of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The European People's Party strongly supports the granting of candidate status to Bosnia and Herzegovina with the understanding that the Brussels Political Agreement is being respected, including the necessary adoption of an amendment to the Election Law, which is urgently needed to enable the establishment of functioning institutions after the forthcoming elections, which would improve the state of the country in 14 key priorities.
The confrontation of the largest political group in the European Parliament comes before the decision of the European Council on the candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova.
The European Parliament also adopted a resolution mentioning the Western Balkans region.
In order to maintain the credibility of the EU enlargement process and enable its transformative powers, a long-standing commitment to the Western Balkans must be maintained and their parallel paths must continue unaffected with more momentum based on merit, political alignment, solidarity in international affairs and agreed commitments, it is stated in the resolution of the European Parliament adopted after today's session.

The confrontation of the largest political group in the European Parliament comes before the decision of the European Council on the candidate status for Ukraine and Moldova

The European People's Party supports the candidate status of Bosnia and Herzegovina

<a href="https://avaz.ba/tag/36608/bosnia-and-herzegovina">Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina</a>, Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec, said today that reports of electoral fraud must be fully investigated and, when warranted, prosecuted. 

 

At the opening of the two-day conference "Response of the Criminal Law Sector on Threats to the Correctness and Integrity of Elections", Kavalec pointed out that electoral fraud cases could be processed more efficiently if cooperation between the judiciary, police and the Central Election Commission (CEC) was improved.
As long-term problems of elections in BiH, she cited discriminatory restrictions based on nationality or residential address, which are an obstacle to candidacy, unequal voting values, the work of polling stations, campaign finance regulations, accuracy of central voters’ register, inadequate appeals and investigations conducted by the CEC and prosecutors' offices, high percentage of invalid ballots, lack of protection of voting secrecy and biased media coverage, including public services.
President of the Central Election Commission of BiH, Suad Arnautović, said that every part of the election process in BiH carries certain illegal actions, starting with the registration of parties and the submission of signatures of support, including a significant number of deceased persons.
He stressed that such actions culminate on election day in the work of committees that oversee polling stations and especially after the closing of polling stations.
Acting Chief Prosecutor of the Prosecutor's Office of BiH Milanko Kajganić underlined that the Prosecutor's Office of BiH will, as never before, be fully involved in all activities aimed at protecting the integrity of the election process, together with police agencies in BiH.
The two-day conference brought together experts from judicial institutions, police agencies, the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and representatives of the international community, who will discuss functional coordination between judicial institutions, police agencies and election administration bodies, as well as investigations and prosecutions related to election fraud.

She pointed out that electoral fraud cases could be processed more efficiently if cooperation between the judiciary, police and the Central Election Commission (CEC) was improved

Kavalec: Reports of electoral fraud must be fully investigated and prosecuted

<a href="https://avaz.ba/tag/36608/bosnia-and-herzegovina">Bosnia and Herzegovina will have elections this year,</a> and I urge all politicians to forget about divisions and focus on the rights of everyone in the country, to build a democratic and inclusive future based on equality of all citizens, said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in Sarajevo today. 
At the end of a four-day official visit to BiH, Bachelet told a news conference that she had the opportunity to meet with senior government officials, civil society representatives, survivors and families of war victims, representatives of the judiciary and the international community.
They discussed, as she stated, peacebuilding, reconciliation, transitional justice, the fight against corruption, women's rights ... She singled out the visit to Srebrenica and the Potočari Memorial Center, where she met with the families of the victims, and pointed to the need for all those responsible to be held accountable for the crimes committed.

<h2>The scars from the 1992 - 1995 war are still present</h2>

Bachelet said they are following the situation in BiH, and that this visit is a good opportunity to discuss a range of human rights issues and challenges that people in BiH, institutions, civil society and everyone else have been facing for almost three decades.

She added that the scars from the 1992-1995 war are still present, but that she is convinced that there is a will and determination among many to build a society for all BiH citizens, who would live in peace, whose rights would be respected and who will live with dignity.
- BiH has acceded to all international instruments for the protection of human rights and that is positive. It also actively cooperates with UN human rights mechanisms. BiH participates in that process, reports on the state of human rights and all that is positive. There are positive steps in terms of domestic laws as well, and I noticed that this week - stated Bachelet.
However, she added, there are also concerns about the implementation of the law, and that some laws are not fully in line with international standards.
- I think that the implementation of key laws in the field of human rights is weak, not all court rulings have been implemented yet, and the institutions that should promote and protect human rights are in a situation where the public does not trust them to a great extent. There are civil society organizations that work to promote transparency, accountability to the public and participation in the decision-making process - said Bachelet.

She believes that the socio-economic rights of the people in this country are influenced by different levels of government which leads to regional inequality. Social protection, health and education, she added, are also affected by the country's regional inequalities.

Speaking about the issue of reparations, she pointed out that it is very important that the victims and their families receive compensation. She added that new laws are needed and the establishment of a fund for compensation of victims, as well as a fund for missing persons, and that the fact that it is impossible to file claims for compensation due to obsolescence is worrying.
Bachelet especially pointed out that BiH has great potential, that everyone must live safely and that the rights of everyone in this country must be respected everywhere.

BiH has acceded to all international instruments for the protection of human rights and that is positive, said Bachelet

Bachelet to BiH politicians: Forget divisions, focus on human rights

Moroccan King Mohammed VI has contracted coronavirus, according to the king's private physician on Thursday.

The monarch "contracted an asymptomatic form of the COVID-19," Professor Lahcen Belyamani said in a statement carried by the official Maghreb Agency.
On Nov. 9, the Moroccan government decided to lift a night curfew imposed across the country following a drop in the number of virus cases in the kingdom.
In early March, Rabat announced the end of an 11-week wave of the omicron variant of the pandemic.

HNS concerned about the amount of extremism and hate speech spread by some Bosniak political leaders

Eighteenth anniversary of the reconstruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar

EU takes new legal action against UK over breaching Northern Ireland Protocol

Amazon to start drone deliveries in California, Texas

Johnson: I will be leaving with my head held high

Schmidt: The lessons we learned in Srebrenica must never be forgotten

Michel: Srebrenica genocide was one of the darkest moments in modern European history

Borrell: While keeping Srebrenica in its heart, the EU firmly stands by BiH and Western Balkans

Brammertz: We remember the victims, but also those they left behind with such terrible sadness

Boris Johnson resigns as Tory leader, says he will continue until new leader is in place

No Russia, Vatican contact yet on pope’s visit to Moscow

Türkiye expects NATO summit to reinforce solidarity, unity, cohesion among allies

The European People's Party supports the candidate status of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kavalec: Reports of electoral fraud must be fully investigated and prosecuted

Bachelet to BiH politicians: Forget divisions, focus on human rights

Moroccan monarch contracts coronavirus

News

HNS concerned about the amount of extremism and hate speech spread by some Bosniak political leaders

Eighteenth anniversary of the reconstruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar

EU takes new legal action against UK over breaching Northern Ireland Protocol

Amazon to start drone deliveries in California, Texas

Johnson: I will be leaving with my head held high

Schmidt: The lessons we learned in Srebrenica must never be forgotten

Michel: Srebrenica genocide was one of the darkest moments in modern European history

Borrell: While keeping Srebrenica in its heart, the EU firmly stands by BiH and Western Balkans

Brammertz: We remember the victims, but also those they left behind with such terrible sadness

Boris Johnson resigns as Tory leader, says he will continue until new leader is in place

No Russia, Vatican contact yet on pope’s visit to Moscow

Türkiye expects NATO summit to reinforce solidarity, unity, cohesion among allies

The European People's Party supports the candidate status of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kavalec: Reports of electoral fraud must be fully investigated and prosecuted

Bachelet to BiH politicians: Forget divisions, focus on human rights

Moroccan monarch contracts coronavirus