Press statement | 02.02.2018

Public announcement

On the occasion of media contents related to the visits of Ombudspersons Jasminka Džumhur, PhD and Nives Jukić to Banja Luka Mufti Osman Kozlić and Banja Luka Bishop Franjo Komarica, we would like to inform the public on the following:

On 25 January 2018 in Banja Luka Ombudspersons Nives Jukić and Jasminka Džumhur, PhD with their associates had meetings with Banja Luka Mufti Osman Kozlić and Catholic Bishop Franjo Komarica to exchange information on the enjoyment of the rights of citizens with residence on the territory of Republika Srpska. In addition to the right to employment and economic and social aspects, discussion related to the security considerations, in particular the safety of the returnees.

Ombudspersons are aware of the fact that a significant number of the citizens of Islamic and Catholic religion address the Banja Luka Mufti Office and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Banja Luka seeking the assistance in achieving the enjoyment of their rights in the fields of employment and other economic and social rights. Nives Jukić and Jasminka Džumhur, PhD, in their discussions with the religious leaders indicated to the modalities of the provision of free legal aid, including the procedure of human rights protection before the Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Catholic Bishop Franjo Komarica particularly emphasized the difficult socio-economic situation of Catholics in this Diocese, for which he reacted in writing in several occasions addressing many instances, especially highlighting the necessity of establishing the facts in cases involving the killed priests about which he gave a book to Ombudspersons as a gift.

Given the role of the religious communities and Ombudspersons in the community it was concluded that there is the opportunity and the need for strengthening the co-operation with the religious communities with the inclusion of the Inter-Religion Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Not a word from Bishop Komarica indicated to, as appeared in media for the second time now, the claim that „many examples and the established practice of violation of human and civil rights of the Catholics, that is, Croats in this area – do not reach the Central Office in Sarajevo, in spite of the existence of a regional office in this Institution in Banja Luka“.

During our conversation, these allegations that are now appearing in the media, were not presented, otherwise we would certainly react and seek clarification in the course of the discussion with the esteemed Bishop.

Namely, the Ombudsman Institution, with headquarters in Banja Luka and the regional offices in Sarajevo, Mostar, Livno and Brčko operating throughout the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina which can be accessed by all citizens directly or indirectly, has never had such complaints in their experience so far. Therefore, we expect the esteemed Bishop Komarica to publicly deny or document such claims.

At the same time the employees of different ethnic origins working in the Central Office in Banja Luka, resolutely dismiss the Bishop’s claims that „many examples and the established practice of violation of human and civil rights of the Catholics, that is, Croats in this area – do not reach the Central Office in Sarajevo, in spite of the existence of a regional office in this Institution in Banja Luka“ since this statement of the Bishop leads the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the conclusion that the employees of the Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina working in the Central Office in Banja Luka violate the rights of one people by concealing their complaints, not registering them or not acting upon them, which is far from being truth.

Ombudspersons of Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Nives Jukić
Dr. Jasminka Džumhur

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Ombudsmen of BiH

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