The four-day mission marked the first visit by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in more than two decades, and she noted that some of the same rights challenges from that era persist to this day. .
Miss Bachelet hailed an “unprecedented verdict” delivered this week, convicting three people of inciting hatred for singing songs that threatened violence.
“There is no place for hate speech for any reason,” she said. “As Bosnia and Herzegovina gets ready for elections in October, I encourage all politicians to turn the page on divisive rhetoric and policiesfocuses on advancing the rights of all people across the country, and building a democratic and inclusive future, based on the equality of all citizens. “
Painful memories, persistent stigma
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the site of fierce fighting in the ethnic conflicts that occurred in the Balkans after the collapse of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
Horrible crimes were committed, including the mass rape and massacre of some 8,000 predominantly Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica by Bosnian Serb forces.
“The scars from the 1992-95 conflict are deep. Memories still hurt. But after my visit, I believe there is a will and determination in many people to achieve a society where every citizen across the country can enjoy peace and be treated equally, with respect and dignity,” said Bachelet.
The UN rights chief met with a wide range of people in the country, including senior officials and parliamentarians, representatives from the international community and civil society, as well as the families of victims of the conflict.
Most of the people she met expressed concern about persistent discrimination on a variety of grounds, though mainly related to ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, which affected civil and political rights.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina have a law that prohibits discrimination and it is important that it is applied nationally and by all organizations.o that all forms of discrimination are effectively eliminated. The active participation of political leaders in building an inclusive society is essential for its future,” she said.
UN photo
A Muslim man prays at his son’s grave in Vitez, in present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Never forget
Civil society representatives highlighted some of the difficulties they face and concerns surrounding the protection of civic space, including online and offline threats to journalists who are working investigating corruption or those who “challenge the dominant political narrative”.
She also sees a genuine concern for young people, “especially as the fragmented education system, with its different curricula and textbooks, has caused division and disillusionment.” trust between communities.”
Ms. Bachelet also recalled her emotional visit to the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial complex, where she paid tribute to the victims, survivors and families of those killed. While there, she meets a woman who has lost her husband and teenage son. The husband’s remains were recovered from a mass grave, but the boy is still missing.
“She told me about the determination of Srebrenica mothers to keep fighting to ensure that the crime of genocide is never forgotten.. We were both in tears. I share her hope that one day she will find her son’s remains, and that we must never forget the tragedy of Srebrenica. “
Mrs. Bachelet said about 7,000 people who “disappeared” during the war are still unaccounted for as a result of mass atrocities across the country.
Hope for justice
Although some of those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are now behind bars,many perpetrators remain unpunished and free,” she said, both there and in other countries.
“I hope that justice will also be served to them,” she told journalists. “With the passage of time, some may never be identified, and therefore it is paramount to vigorously pursue criminal prosecutions in the country, for all crimes committed. out in conflict; that the guilty will be duly convicted. It is important for countries in the region to step up cooperation in this regard.”
Accountability
The High Commissioner reports little progress has been made in reparating the victims of atrocities. She is also concerned that courts have denied survivors’ composing requests by imposing restrictive regulations.
“That is responsibility of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure accountability for past crimes, to provide compensation to survivors and families of all victims, and to lead and support healing and reconciliation. It also has a responsibility to combat the denial of atrocities and glorify war criminals,” she said.
