Press statement | 31.01.2018

Press Release

Human Rights Ombudsmen of Bosnia and Herzegovina received on January 16, 2018. complaints filed by the representatives of the parents of children attending elementary schools Liplje, Snagovo, Divič, Kamenica, Kula Grad and Križevići, which states:

“..... returnee children in Zvornik can not learn the Bosnian language, i.e. they are denied the right to learn Bosnian language. Also, parents' representatives are not invited to meetings for three years by schools. Then there are discrimination based on a variety of established, an example of schools in Križevi, which is a regional school in Čalopeka, and if there is a central school in Karakaj where, according to its logic, it should belong. There are also religious symbols (icons) in schools, although such things should be placed in religious buildings. In neighboring Mali Zvornik children have the right to study Bosnian language and do not challenge their right to language, and there are also no religious characteristics....."

Human Rights Ombudsmen of Bosnia and Herzegovina point out that in April 2017, the Special Report on the Use of Official Language and Letters in Bosnia and Herzegovina was published, which is available on the official web site of the Ombudsman Institution for human rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The report concluded that the Framework Law on Primary and Secondary Education ("Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina", No. 18/03) regulates, inter alia, the principles of preschool, primary and secondary education and upbringing. The authorities responsible for organizing the educational system in the Brčko District of BiH, the Republika Srpska, the cantons of the Federation of BiH, in accordance with the Constitution, are obliged to apply and abide the principles and norms established by this Law and to ensure education under equal conditions for all pupils, with full respect for the rights of the child on education, the importance of children's rights and the promotion of respect for human rights. The Framework Law stipulates that the languages of the constituent peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be used in all schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and that all students will study letters that are in official use in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and all entity, cantonal and laws of the Brčko District of BiH, as well as other relevant education regulations, were to be aligned with the law within six months from the date of adoption of the said law.

The Government of the Republika Srpska and the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republika Srpska, the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation Ministry of Education and Science, the Governments of all cantons and cantonal ministries of education and the Government of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its Department of Education have given recommendations to:

- take all necessary measures without delay in order to ensure equal treatment of children/pupils in all primary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its entities and the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina with regard to teaching in the official languages of the constituent peoples;

- without delay, take all necessary measures to ensure that children in all elementary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its entities and the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina study letters that are officially used in Bosnia and Herzegovina - Latin and Cyrillic.

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