News in English     | 30.08.2019. 15:03 |

Gender Center: Inclusive societies are economically and socially more prosperous

FENA Press release

SARAJEVO, August 30 (FENA) - The Gender Center of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomed the statements of all the stakeholders expressing solidarity with the LGBTI community, especially as BiH is obliged to guarantee to every citizen the exercise of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, without discrimination on any grounds.

The right to freedom of assembly is guaranteed by the Constitution of BiH, the entities’ constitutions and international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are also reflected in the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers' Recommendation of 2010 to the member states on measures to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It applies to all citizens and no one should be discriminated against by restricting that right.

In order to protect citizens from discrimination, BiH has the instrument of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination, as well as the Law on Gender Equality in BiH, which prohibits discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity and gender characteristics.

The announced Pride March in Sarajevo should be understood and accepted as constitutionally and legally guaranteed right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, reminded today the FBiH Gender Center.

In the dialogue between BiH and the European Union, in the context of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, the issue of the rights of lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI) and the organizing of the pride march has been a topic and an issue for years.  

However, the Gender Center points out that the issue of advancing the rights of LGBTI persons, and the issue of the pride march are not important because of Europe or international conventions, but primarily because of citizens of BiH themselves.

“It has been empirically proven that societies that are more inclusive and have a higher degree of freedoms and sensitivity to diversity are also more economically and socially prosperous,” repeated the Gender Center.

The issue of attitude toward the pride march scheduled for September 8 is primarily a question of the readiness of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or the BiH society as a whole, to respect diversity.

Therefore, the FBiH Gender Center calls on the BiH authorities to provide the necessary conditions for this event to be held in a peaceful and dignified manner, and for all those who hold public office and enjoy the confidence of all citizens to be careful about the statements and addresses they make in public.

The Gender Center urges them to refrain from any statements that could be interpreted as discriminatory or those that incite hatred against LGBTIQ persons, and it has invited citizens to express their solidarity and support with their participation the holding of the First Pride March in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

(FENA) S. R.

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