OSCE stands with Super Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark International Day of Tolerance

SARAJEVO, 16 November 2015 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina supported 19 coalitions against hate from all over the country in their endeavors to promote positive narratives of tolerance and coexistence during the Month of Tolerance, a campaign that concluded today with the International Day of Tolerance.

During the past month, more than 120 nongovernmental organizations and individuals joined the campaign by organizing over 30 different athletic, cultural and artistic events in 17 cities in BiH, including Sarajevo, Doboj, Prijedor, Velika Kladusa, Vitez, Zvornik, Bratunac, Visegrad and Drvar.

Tolerance is one of the preconditions for achieving economic and social progress, says Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Ambassador Jonathan Moore. “There are many positive examples of people working and living together who are determined to help this country move toward a brighter future.  We can help bring attention to them, and repeat their successes elsewhere,” stated Moore.

Zeljka Mihaljevic of the Coalition Against Hate “Acceptance” from Livno says tolerance means accepting someone else’s opinion even if we do not agree with them. “It means living together and building peace, which is something we need the most today,” added Mihaljevic.

All citizens of BiH were invited to contribute with videos, photos and messages of tolerance using #NoToHate and post them on social networks channels. “Using a banner on sport competitions and painting murals we wanted to positively influence not just the people living in our city but wider,” stated Neska Ilijic of the Coalition “Stop Prejudices” from Trebinje.

“The reactions are mostly positive because we tried to send a unique message from all our events and highlight the need to increase the level of tolerance if we want to see positive changes,” stated Enes Avdicevic of the Coalition “Society Without Prejudices” from Teocak.

The Month of Tolerance has been supported by the Super Citizens initiative launched by the OSCE Mission to BiH in 2013.  Super Citizens are an informal group of people and organizations working together in prevention of hate and biased-motivated incidents, thereby contributing to the reconciliation process in BiH.