The Helsinki Citizens' Assembly (hCa) has recently send a mission to Bosnia and
Herzegovina, in order to investigate (a.o.) the role of the International Community.
The report of this mission is presented to the main International Organizations active in the
area (IFOR, OSCE, UNHCR, ECMM, High Representative, etc.). The hCa is convinced that
the policy of the International Community needs to be revised very soon, in order to avoid
a total collapse. Bosnia is threathened to fall apart in three ethnic entities (Croat, Serb,
Muslim) and the war might easily start again. The main recommendations of the hCa-
delegation are:
1. Time, energy and money of both the international community and NGO's, should be
invested in strengthening the non-nationalistic option - opposition parties and
(networks of) civic initiatives - in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Indeed, these are the main
forces working for re-integration and (liberal) democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
So far, they are neglected by the International Community, which almost exclusively
pays homage to the nationalist Parties (as demanded by the Dayton-agreement).
2. A really independent nation-wide television-network should be initiated on short
notice. In this way, the existing imbalance between ruling nationalists and the non-
nationalist organizations can be changed for the better. Other independent media-
initiatives should be supported as well.
3. The Posavina corridor around Brcko urgently needs a strong international
protectorate. Tensions are growing day after day, due to a piling up of refugees on
both sides of the demarcation line. The nationalist Parties are uncapable and
unprepared to solve the Corridor-problem themselves. The international attitude of
'wait and see' should be changed immediately.
4. Opposition parties and NGO's should be included in the negotiations about the
election rules and regulations, in order to prevent nationalist parties from controlling
and manipulating the (outcome of the) elections. All parties and NGO's should get
equal possibilities to address the huge number of refugees abroad, who are a decisive
factor in the upcoming elections.
5. Displaced persons and refugees need respect, and should not be politically
instrumenta-lized. Different categories should be introduced. Category 1.: the
refugees/displaced persons from the front-line (regions), who had to be removed
because of the fighting. They should return to their (repaired) homes as soon as
possible. Category 2.: the refugees/displaced persons who were removed during ethnic
cleansing campaigns. They should not be forced to go back to their place of origin,
and instead be offered a permanent stay in the place where they live now.
6. OSCE-Ambassador Frowick, head of the Provisional Election Committee, should state
that the agreed time-table cannot be met. Moreover, every area should be considered
on its own merits. Indeed, the political situation, and the democratic atmosphere,
varies considerably from city to city, area to area, and between the two Entities.
Local and Cantonal, Entity and National elections should only be held if the current
situation allows it.
7. NGO's should invest much more in setting up education programmes, on the
elections, on local democracy, on individual, civil and human rights, on the
mechanisms of propaganda and political campaigning, etc. Up to now, almost all
energy and money is put in humanitarian and material assistance. But a society can
not live by bread alone.
8. Pressure should be put on the Croatian government to accept the return of refugees
to Krajina. This would improve the possibility for Muslim and Croat refugees to
return to their homes in the Serbian Entity.
9. The international community should interpret it's mandate less narrowly. IFOR should
deliberately try to arrest war-criminals. IFOR should assist in clearing minefields,
everywhere. Other international organizations like Bildt's office, the OSCE, the High
Representative and the UNHCR should exert pressure on (local) authorities to accept
the rules (of law) and to fulfil the conditions for free and fair elections. IFOR or the
UN police force should take responsibility for internal security.
(The following people participated in the mission: Mary Kaldor (co-chair of the hCa), Lidija Grebo
(Balkan coordinator at the Prague office), Zdravka Grebo-Jevtic (dir. of Job 22, Sarajevo office of the
hCa), Klelija Balta (dir. of the Tuzla office of the hCa), Vehid Sehic (pres. of the Tuzla citizens Forum),
André Lommen (liaison officer at the Tuzla office of the hCa), andMient Jan Faber (dir. hCa, the Hague.)
Copies of report are available on request. Contact address: hCa-office, The Hague. Mrs. Juanita
Zeegelaar, Mr. André Lommen.