prijava
SARAJEVO, October 12 (FENA) - Enjoying the freedom of peaceful assembly in BiH is extensively regulated by 12 different laws and a number of local policies that are only partially in line with current international human rights standards, as was presented today in the Report "The Enjoyment of the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in BiH", presented in Sarajevo by the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Kathleen Kavalec and the BiH Ombudsman for Human Rights Jasminka Džumhur.
"This report was created on the basis of monitoring more than 200 public gatherings in the period from 2017 to 2020. This monitoring included activities related to the behavior of the competent authorities during the public gatherings. Based on this monitoring process, we pointed out in the report the problems related to the existing regulations and the actions of the competent authorities regarding the observance of international standards for the protection of human rights," said Kavalec.
In most cases of peaceful assembly, it was observed that the measures taken by the competent authorities were generally milder than those prescribed by law. However, there were cases when it was noticed that these measures were contrary to human rights standards.
"The Report contains recommendations that were sent to all levels of government, as well as to the organizers and participants of public gatherings, in order to achieve the highest possible degree of respect for human rights related to this area," Kavalec added.
In connection with peaceful assembly, positive changes are possible, and the proof for that is the adoption of the Law on Public Assembly in the Brčko District in 2020.
Džumhur considers the report important because restricting public assembly through the imposition of unnecessary and sometimes discriminatory restrictions is a blow to democracy in a society.
(FENA) S. R.
