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Positive Practices of the Project „Strenghtening the Protection of National Minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina“

The project: „Strenghtening the protection of national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina“ organised its final Steering Commitee Meeting followed by a closing event on 7th May 2019.

Mr. Drahoslav Štefanek, Head of Council of Europe office in Sarajevo, congratulated the stakeholders on succesful implementation of the project. He highlighted the importance of ensuring the sustainability of results and the importance of keeping the issues of minority protection and promotion high on the agenda of the relevant authorities. Furthermore, he stressed the need for continuious communication and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders which has been initiated through the implementation of this particular project. Finally he expressed the gratitude to  the European Union, Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and other partners for their active participation and excellent co-operation.

Mr. Želimir Lalić, Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees BiH, stated that such projects are important in order for national minorities not to be assimilated in BiH society. He also emphasised the importance of having a joint approach towards protection of national minorities on BiH level.

The analysis of the Law on the protection of national minorities in BiH, that has been carried out within the project, highlighted that there are issues which are incompatible with applicable European standards, especially the high thresholds for exercising the rights of minorities (such as in the field of language or education) and it has been recommended that these should be changed.

Mr. Vedran Ian Kjeldsen from the Council of Europe, mentioned that the Minority Co-ordination Group, that was established through this project and chaired by Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees BiH, is an important platform for discussion and it demonstrated its true potential throghout the implementation of  this particular project.

The project raised the visibility of national minorities within all planned activities. Cities and municipalities that had grants organised competitions on knowledge of national minorities, prepared publications, documentaries, TV and radio shows with numeorus media coverage, all with a goal of raising awareness of national minorities. During the closing event, representatives from Brčko District, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Sarajevo and Tuzla presented the main results that arose from grants.

Members of the Steering Committee commented that many results have been achieved within a very short period of time.

The project: “Strengthening the protection of national minorities in BiH” is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe. It is a part of the joint programme called: “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey”, implemented by the Council of Europe.

 

Banja Luka 7-5-2019
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As a part of the European Union and Council of Europe joint programmatic framework “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey” (Horizontal Facility), the Council of Europe will implement the Action “Strengthening the protection of national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, in close partnership with Ministry for Human Rights and Refuges BiH, Federation Ministry of Justice, Federation Ministry of Labor and Social Politics, RS Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self Government, RS Ministry for Economic Relations and Regional Cooperation, BiH Government of Brcko District, local authorities, Councils for National Minorities at state and entity level as well as civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders in the area of minority protection and promotion in BiH.

The Action aims at supporting the authorities in enhancing the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina by strengthening institutional coordination among the relevant stakeholders in minority fields and increasing their capacities. In addition, it will raise awareness of promotion and protection of minority rights in BiH, which will also be implemented by local governments themselves.

The Action has an overall budget of 418,000 EUR and it is expected to be completed on 24th May 2019.

 

Objectives and expected results

The aim of the Action is to contribute to strengthening the protection of the persons belonging to national minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with the European standards.

The Action intends to address the following specific objectives:

  • Strengthen institutional coordination among the relevant stakeholders;
  • Foster intercultural dialogue while systematically addressing issues relating to the protection and promotion of rights.

Accordingly, the objectives of the Action will be supported through the realisation of the following expected results:

  • Established coordination principles among the relevant stakeholders;
  • Increased knowledge of relevant institutions about minority protection standards;
  • Increased knowledge of the general public about the existence, roles and rights of national minorities, including minority languages in BiH.

 

This webpage has been produced using funds of a joint project between the European Union and the Council of Europe. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.