OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees strengthen co-operation in promoting freedom of expression and media

SARAJEVO, 30 July 2020 – The Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kathleen Kavalec and the BiH Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, Milos Lucic today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on mutual co-operation in promoting the freedom of expression and media in the country.
Emphasizing the valuable and consistent co-operation with the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, Kavalec said: “The Memorandum of Understanding, signed today will allow for the creation of a methodology for gathering and exchanging information on violations of freedom of expression and media, in line with international obligations and standards. This should contribute in policy-making that will safeguard this freedom and protect media professionals in BiH.”
“Freedom of expression is the catalyst of all human rights. The professional media are one of the pillars of democracy and the key factor in promoting and respecting human rights in BiH,” said Minister Lucic. “We are aware that a lot of work is ahead of us. We are determined to devote ourselves to this area in full capacity, and, with the support of our partners, such as the OSCE Mission to BiH, we have no doubts in a positive result for the benefit of the respect for all human rights and of the protection of media professionals in BiH.”
The OSCE Mission to BiH and the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees reiterated their commitment to address the challenges related to media freedom and freedom of expression in Bosnia and Herzegovina.