PUBLIC STATEMENT

Don' t Surrender Principles on Brcko

 

The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia continue to insist that Brcko be a community giving equal rights to all citizens, regardless of their national background. The rights of refugees seeking to return to their homes - indeed, all the principles contained in the Dayton accord - must be respected, regardless of whatever administrative arrangement is settled upon.

The Helsinki Committees reject any effort to place conditions on adhering to the Dayton principles. "Brcko must be given back to its citizens, and be an example of multi-ethnic reconstruction".

"We expect representatives of both the "entities" to uphold their obligations. We expect the international community to insist on compliance with Dayton - not to give in expediently to political pressure form any side."

For more information:

Srdjan Dizdarevic, President, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in B&H
Tel:+ 387 71 20 60 11;

Sonja Biserko, Chair, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
Tel:+ 381 11 639 481;


Sarajevo - Belgrade, 11 February 1998
No: 19-02/98