INFORMATION ON THE VISIT OF THE MEMBERS OF STEERING BOARD OF THE HELSINKI COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN B&H TO MOSTAR

 

The members of Steering Board of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in B&H visited Mostar on 8 September 1997. They had discussions with the Mayor of Mostar Ivan Prskalo and Deputy Mayor Safet Orucevic. The activists of the Helsinki Committee Office in Mostar took part at the discussions as well as independent intellectuals of all the three nations.
It was stated that certain improvements have been made and that the situation, as for human rights and freedoms, is much better than few months earlier. In recent period, there were no cases of violence, throwing out from apartments and expulsions of members of non-majority people. Joint mixed police forces on the level of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton has been established.
In spite of recorded positive movements, there is still present a problem of blockade of process relative to adoption of amandman to Constitution of Canton through which further normalization of situation has been slowed down and made impossible.
The most acute problems in Moister are related to the process of return of refugees and displaced persons and the role of media.
Preconditions and conditions for the return have not yet been created. Freedom of movement is restricted while right to free selection of place of living and right to private property are not guaranteed.
Local media, in majority of cases, are being led by narrow nationalistic interests and do not contribute to reduction of tensions and creation of atmosphere of tolerances and dialogue this being the only road to normalization of situation in Moister.
The members of the Steering Board have sent appeal to the ruling structures to work out concrete programs for return of refugees and displaced persons calling for, at the same time, the international community to assist the reconstruction and construction of houses to accommodate these persons or those ones who found shelter in Mostar. Appeal to media of Mostar was also sent asking them to harmonize their activities with principles and codex of professional journalism by which more favorable atmosphere for settling open questions in the city can be created.
The members of the Steering Board of the Helsinki Committee supported the initiative of a group of citizens of Western Mostar to start with an independent radio-broadcasting station as well as their initiative to open space for political pluralism in this part of the city and possibility of forming and registering non-governmental organizations.

Sarajevo, 9 September 1997
No. 09-09/97
 

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