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SARAJEVO, October 19 (FENA) - With the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe, 46 topographic signs in the languages of national minorities were unveiled last week in Prnjavor, Srbac, Gradiška and Laktaši.
Topographic signs vary from those with traditional place names in the language of a national minority to those with topographic markings that mark and promote the cultural heritage of national minorities such as churches, cemeteries, welcome signs and info boards.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a member state of the Council of Europe, signed two conventions that establish the basic principles of protecting the rights of all 17 recognized national minorities - the European Charter on Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM).
The monitoring bodies of the Council of Europe as well as the Committee of Ministers have repeatedly reminded Bosnia and Herzegovina with their recommendations that the installation of topographic markings in the languages of national minorities is an important step towards fulfilling obligations.
Assistant Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina Saliha Đuderija said that topographical marking of settlements and cultural-historical monuments related to members of national minorities is a good way to emphasize multicultural values in communities where national minorities live.
Angela Longo, the program manager in the Council of Europe's Department for Combating Discrimination, pointed out that the Council of Europe and the European Union are very pleased that the local governments have recognized the importance of promoting the historical and cultural heritage of national minorities who traditionally live in these areas, as well as expressing openness to an inclusive and diverse society.
"Such initiatives provide a tangible example of the concrete effects of the standards and mechanisms of the Council of Europe at the local level, so that human rights are not only viable on paper," said Longo.
The installation of the signs was carried out in cooperation with the informal group Coordination Committee for National Minorities, chaired by the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina and local communities. Three more boards will be installed by the end of October in Bijeljina.
The creation and installation of markings is supported by the European Union and the Council of Europe project "Promotion of diversity and equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina", which is part of the joint program of the European Union and the Council of Europe "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019-2022", said the Council of Europe.
(FENA) S. R.
