Numerous organizations and officials condemn attacks on LGBT activists and journalists in Banja Luka

FENA Aida Kovač, Photo: Pixabay

SARAJEVO, March 19 (FENA) - Domestic and international organizations and officials condemned last night's attack on LGBT activists and journalists in Banja Luka.

The Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina stated on its Twitter account that it strongly condemns last night's attack on activists and journalists in Banja Luka.

“The authorities need to undertake swift investigation and bring to justice all those responsible for the violent attack. RS authorities need take equal care of all their citizens,” the OHR stated.

The EU Delegation in BiH also strongly condemned last night's violence in Banja Luka on Twitter.

“Words have consequences. When civil society activists and journalists are regularly targets of verbal attack by RS politicians, it creates a climate where physical attacks can follow. Allegations that police present on the scene failed to prevent the attacks are worrying, if true. We urge the RS authorities to take the necessary steps to fully investigate this evening's violence and take action to prevent future incidents,” the EU Delegation stated on Twitter.

Great Britain's Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Julian Reilly, also wrote on his Twitter that the shocking attacks on civil society activists in Banja Luka highlight the real impact of hate speech.

The OSCE Mission in BiH strongly condemned last night's violent attack on journalists and activists in Banja Luka.

“Every individual has the right to live freely and safely without fear of violence or discrimination. We call on the authorities to join in clearly condemning this outrageous attack and bring those responsible to justice as a matter of absolute priority,” it was stated on Twitter of the OSCE Mission in BiH.

The Board of Directors of the Association of BH Journalists assesses that the violence against journalists and activists in Banja Luka was politically generated and institutionally encouraged, in order to criminalize journalists, activists and other defenders of human rights in front of citizens and the public, and present them as "enemies" of the Republika Srpska, social and religious values of that entity.

On the occasion of last night's violent attack on members of the LGBT population, in which there were also injured people, Our Party also spoke out.

“We strongly condemn violent primitivism. We call on the judicial authorities and the police to react as soon as possible. We also call on all politicians to condemn the violence because, undoubtedly, their rhetoric also contributed to the violence.

The Banja Luka Police Department issued a Decision banning the public gathering organized by independent creators and activists "Geto" from Banja Luka and "BiH Pride March" from Sarajevo, which was supposed to take place last night in this city.

The Organizing Committee of BiH Pride March announced that the decision on the ban was issued just before the event, that is, at 9:50 a.m. on the day of the event itself.

“According to the preliminary legal analysis, we believe that the principle of the right to assembly has been violated by the method and content of the ban, which will be the subject of our further analysis and public information,” it is stated in the statement.