Latest News from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Federation Official Benefits Hike Angers Bosnians

A decision of the government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of Bosnia's two entities, to increase some economic benefits of ministries has infuriated many Bosnians.

They have called decision further proof that the élite is more interested in increasing its privileges than working for the general interest.

Hijab Ban in Court Angers Bosnian Muslims

Bosnia's High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, which oversees the judiciary, on Wednesday confirmed its previous decision to prohibit employees in judicial institutions from wearing religious symbols, including the hijab - the headscarf used by Muslim women.

Lack of Transparency on Bosnia Flood Cash Slated

A new report by Brana [Dam], a coalition of 23 NGOs formed at the end of 2014 to monitor the transparency of recovery projects and international donations used in Bosnia after the floods, highlights the lack of transparency on use of reconstruction money.

Gen. Zdravko Tolimir dies in Hague Tribunal jail

Former Army of the Serb Republic (VRS) in Bosnia-Herzegovina Gen. Zdravko Tolimir passed away in the night between Monday and Tuesday.

Tolimir died in a prison cell of the Hague Tribunal, the RS Veteran Organization told Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti.

Bosnian Serb Leader Postpones Controversial Referendum

Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik yielded to growing internal and international pressure on Monday and announced he was postponing the disputed referendum which had threatened to raise ethnic tensions in the country.

"Sealing of borders would overburden W. Balkans"

Austria does not want to simply close its borders and leave the Western Balkan states to deal with the refugee issue on their own, says Sebastian Kurz.

Speaking in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina on Monday, the Austrian foreign minister added that instead, his country "wants to find a common solution to the problem."

Report Lifts Lid on Bosnian Flood Aid Spending

A report that is due to be issued on Wednesday by Brana [Dam], a coalition of Bosnian NGOs formed after the catastrophic floods that hit Bosnia in 2014, monitors the transparency of recovery projects and international donations.

The report will present the results of more than a year's research into hundreds of projects implemented over the whole territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kosovo, Bosnian Activists Demand End to Visas

Activists from Bosnia and Kosovo meeting in Pristina on Friday issued a joint call to their governments to end the visa restrictions impeding relations between the two countries.

June Date Set for Release of Bosnian Census

Pieter Everaers, a representative from Eurostat, the European agency for statistics, on Thursday met the three main statistical agencies of Bosnia - the Statistical Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the institute for statistics of Republika Srpska and the institute for statistics of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia's Cash-Strapped State TV Risks Closure

Bosnia and Herzegovina Radio and Television, BHRT, Bosnia's state television, is experiencing extreme financial hardship, which is making it difficult to support the functioning of the network and might result in it having to stop broadcasting, the network's administration said.

Southeast Europe Urges Strict Control of EU External Borders at Sofia Meeting

In a joint statement, Southeastern European countries have callef for stricter border controls at the EU's external frontiers, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Daniel Mitov said on Tuesday.

Mitov's remark came as Bulgaria hosted an informal meeting of states that are part of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), which at the moment is rotationally chaired by Bulgaria.

Sarajevo Embassy Attack Plotter Held in Greece

Greek police told BIRN on Monday that Bektasevic (aged 29, a Swedish citizen) and Al Hasani Amer (20, a Yemeni citizen) were arrested in the town of Alexandroupolis last Thursday during their attempt to enter Turkey on route to joining Islamic State in Syria.