Bosnian and Serbian Helsinki Committees' Statement on Brcko

GREEK HELSINKI MONITOR

(Greek National Committee of the International Helsinki Federation)

& MINORITY RIGHTS GROUP - GREECE

(Greek Affiliate of Minority Rights Group International)

P.O. Box 51393, GR-14510 Kifisia, Greece; tel. 30-1-620.01.20; fax: 30-1-807.57.67;

e-mail: office@greekhelsinki.gr      http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

11/2/1998

 

TOPIC: Bosnian and Serbian Helsinki Committees' Statement on Brcko

 

We distribute the latest press release of the Bosnian and Serbian Helsinki

Committees on the isue of Brcko

 

Helsinki Committees: Don't Surrender Principles on Brcko

 

Vienna, 11 February 1998. The Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia continue to insist that Brcko be a community giving equal rights to all citizens, regardless of their national background. The rights of refugees seeking to return to their homes-indeed, all the principles contained in the Dayton accord-- must be respected, regardless of whatever administrative arrangement is settled upon.

 

The Helsinki Committees reject any effort to place conditions on adhering to the Dayton principles. "Brcko must be given back to its citizens, and be an example of multi-ethnic reconstruction."

 

"We expect representatives of both the "entities" to uphold their obligations. We expect the international community to insist on compliance with Dayton - not to give in expediently to political pressure from any side."

 

For more information:

 

Srdjan Dizdarevic, President, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tel: +387-71-67 02 45 or 206 011

 

Sonja Biserko, Chair, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia Tel: +381-11-639 481