Report of the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, March 2024: UK response
Ambassador Holland responds to the report presentation by Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Firstly, I would like to welcome back Ambassador Aggeler to the Permanent Council. The United Kingdom highly appreciates the work and added value of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, including through the excellent programmes which the UK delegation witnessed on-the-ground in 2023. Thank you to you and your team for your work over the past 12 months, and for this comprehensive report.
Madam Chair, the UK strongly supports a sovereign, stable and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), making progress on its Euro-Atlantic path. We therefore condemn the secessionist rhetoric and actions of the government of the Republika Srpska. We fully support the actions taken by the High Representative in response.
The UK welcomes the progress that Bosnia and Herzegovina has made on rule of law reforms, including the passing of legislation on anti-money laundering and terrorist financing. We welcome the European Commission’s support for the country’s path towards EU accession. We strongly encourage Bosnia and Herzegovina’s politicians to continue to work together to pass substantial reforms which meaningfully strengthen the rule of law, democracy and human rights.
Such reforms should include improving the integrity of elections, where it is disappointing that a credible domestic solution has not yet been reached. It is vital that technical changes to the Election Law are made in sufficient time to enable implementation ahead of the October municipal elections. There were credible and widespread allegations of fraud in the 2022 general elections. Election Law changes will rebuild voters’ trust in the democratic process and ensure that the results reflect their will. The UK is pleased to support work in this area, including through funding an OSCE Mission programme to improve the integrity of electoral processes.
We welcome the OSCE Mission’s efforts and engagement on reconciliation, peace- and trust-building. We support their work on strengthening inter-ethnic relations, and in connecting communities across political and administrative divides. A more inclusive and cohesive society is essential to achieving lasting stability in BiH. We value the insight and information provided by the nine Field Offices across the country.
The UK also supports the work of the Mission to safeguard fundamental freedoms, in particular its work to improve the safety of journalists. We share the Mission’s concerns in this area. In October 2023 we instigated a Media Freedom Coalition statement on declining media freedom in BiH, signed by 25 countries.
Finally, I would like to welcome once again the Mission’s commitment to gender equality – across education, access to political life and through combatting gender-based violence. Achieving gender equality is essential to more informed thinking and policies that benefit all our populations.
Madam Chair, this remains a critical time for European security. In this context, it is vital that the international community takes a collective and coordinated approach to supporting the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina – drawing on our respective tools and strengths. The UK will remain steadfast in its commitment to work towards building a peaceful, prosperous and stable Bosnia and Herzegovina, working in the interests of its people.
Thank you, Madam Chair.