Latest News from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Balkan Youngsters Join Global Climate Change Action
School students from Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo took part in the "Fridays for Future" protests this Friday, joining millions of people from all around the world as part of the global protest against inaction on climate change.
Serbian Opposition Sceptical of European Mediation Offer
The Alliance, which comprises a number of centrist, conservative and right-wing parties, indicated it would not go back on a decision confirmed on September 16 to boycott the election.
"Their efforts come too late," Marinika Tepic, deputy leader of the Party of Liberty and Justice, SSP, a member of the Alliance, told BIRN. "This is our final decision."
Sarajevo Politician Champions Legislation to Outlaw Hate Speech
Damir Marjanovic, a member of the Sarajevo Canton parliament from the liberal, multi-ethnic Nasa Stranka (Our Party), told BIRN that he has filed the proposal for new legislation to the Cantonal Assembly because there is a real need for a clear and precise law that will enable people to be sanctioned for hate speech.
Munter invites Vucic to Berlin, Merkel calls for the meeting in New York
"I had the privilege of speaking with President Vucic, we discussed the situation in the region in the context of the Berlin Dialogue sponsored by the East-West Institute in December. Many leaders will come and talk about long-standing solutions for the region," Munter said last night for Tanjug.
Bosnian Serb Assembly’s Deputy Speaker Quits Ahead of Sacking
Bosniak politician Senad Bratic quit as vice-speaker of the assembly in Bosnia's Serb-dominated entity, Republika Srpska, RS, on Wednesday - after the party to which he belongs passed a controversial declaration at its recent party congress that landed him in hot political water.
Serbian Security Chiefs ‘Operated in Croatia in 1994’
A retired Serbian State Security Service officer told the retrial of Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic at the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague on Wednesday that he met the defendants in November 1994 on Petrova Gora mountain in Croatia, which at that time was part of the self-proclaimed Republic of Serbian Krajina established by rebel Croatian Serbs.
150 Romanian troops participate in Saber Junction 19 exercise in Germany
Approximately 5,400 troops from 16 countries, including Romania, participate over September 3-30 in multinational exercise "Saber Junction 19" (SJ19), which is mostly carried out in the training centres in Grefenwoehr and Hohenfels, but also at the Ramstein Air Base, in Germany, reads a release of the Land Forces Staff on Tuesday.
Bosnia Arrests Two Serb Ex-Soldiers for Multiple Rape
State Investigation and Protection Agency police arrested Radovan Paprica, also known as Papro, and Slavko Ognjenovic, alias Macak, on Sunday on charges of the multiple rape and sexual abuse of Bosniaks in the Foca area of eastern Bosnia in 1992.
The two former Bosnian Serb Army soldiers have been charged with committing a crime against humanity.
‘Europe Recognises Balkan Anti-War Activism is Important’
Ivan Djuric, the programme director of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights' branch in Serbia, told BIRN in an interview that the organisation's nomination for the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize is a recognition that anti-war campaigning remains necessary in the Balkan region.
Bosnia Pulls Back from the Brink, for Now
They warn that years of political divisions, zero-sum games, distrust and poor communication between local leaders, as well as growing tensions among key regional and global actors, have left Bosnia a ticking time-bomb that could go off at any moment, leading to the collapse of the remaining joint institutions or even the breakup of the country.
No Arrests Yet After Death Threats to Bosnian Judges
The president of the Bosnian state court, Ranko Debevec, told BIRN that he has still not been informed by the state prosecution that the person or persons who threatened him with death last year have been identified.
Balkan Oscars Hopefuls Start to Dream of Hollywood
With October 1 approaching as the deadline for film institutions in countries around the world to submit their entries for 92th Academy Awards, five Balkan states have already decided on the movies they hope will reap success at next year's Oscars in Hollywood.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: 'The Son'
Bosnian Capital Hosts First-Ever Pride March
The first-ever Pride March passed off peacefully in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, after starting Sunday at noon. After the participants gathered in front of the Eternal Flame, a well-known memorial dedicated to victims of World War II, a few hundred people marched through Tito Street, Sarajevo's main street, and ended in front of the state-level parliament.
Croatia Mulls Using Retired Police To Handle Migrant Crisis
The Croatian Interior Ministry is planning to introduce an auxiliary reserve police force that will draw also on retired officers - mostly to help deal with the migrant burden and strengthen Croatia's border, which is also an EU external border.
Ukraine Condemns Bosnian Serb Chief Over Crimea Interview
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has issued a protest note about recent comments made by the Serb member of Bosnia's state presidency in support of Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Earlier this week, Milorad Dodik stated in his interview to Russkiy reporter that he "considers Crimea to be Russian", and that Bosnian recognition of this unilateral annexation was "necessary".