Today marks ten years since the landmark European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling in the Sejdić and Finci case.  Unfortunately, in the decade since this ruling, nothing has changed.  The people of BiH must not become inured to simply marking anniversaries without taking constructive action.  To that end, BiH authorities must amend the constitution …

Today U.S. Special Representative for the Western Balkans, Matthew Palmer, U.S. Ambassador Eric Nelson, EU Head of Delegation/EUSR, Ambassador Johann Sattler, High Representative Valentin Inzko, OSCE Mission to BiH Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec, and UK Chargé d’Affaires Ruth Wiseman met with SDA President Bakir Izetbegović and HDZ-BiH President Dragan Čović to discuss the pressing need for …

We congratulate the Organizing Committee, March participants, local institutions, and citizens of BiH on successfully holding Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first Pride March.  The people of BiH came together to reject fear and hate and instead demonstrated to the world that BiH is indeed an open and tolerant country that respects the rights of all individuals. …

We understand that the leaders of three of the largest political parties have reached agreement to form a BiH-level government. Among other things, party leaders reaffirmed the existing consensus on the importance of BiH’s progress on the EU and NATO paths. We welcome this and we will work with political parties and members of the …

Today on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), we, the undersigned, express our support for, and solidarity with, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Every citizen of BiH – regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics – is …

Political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina need to implement reforms that move BiH toward European standards and democratic norms.  Instead, the Embassies of the United States, Germany, the UK, and the Office of the High Representative see recent rhetoric and initiatives in the Republika Srpska (RS) as moving away from these standards, despite the government’s …

The U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes today’s verdict by the Appeals Chamber of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism) in the case of Radovan Karadžić.  The ruling represents an important step toward holding to account those individuals responsible for the tremendous suffering of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while providing …

The U.S. Embassy in BiH roundly rejects the completely ridiculous conspiracy theories being disseminated by certain politicians and media outlets in their service.  It is shocking that these individuals would stand at a podium and deliver outright lies, especially when their unfounded allegations are so easily disproved.  Such rhetoric is irresponsible, inflammatory, and out of …

The United States has demonstrated our dedication and commitment to the people of BiH over more than two decades, and yet irresponsible actors continue to drag us into conspiracy theories, unfounded accusations, and, bluntly, lies.  During election campaigns, we strongly believe that citizens should have the opportunity to discuss the issues that will determine their …

Yesterday’s public fabrications by Milorad Dodik are simply untrue.  Once again, the assistance of the people of the United States is being used to support wild conspiracy theories in the interest of election campaigning in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The United States is estimated to have invested nearly two billion dollars in helping the reconstruction and …

Certain politicians continue to use a fabricated story about a so-called “NATO exercise” to instigate fear among the citizens of BiH, despite our continued efforts to provide factual and timely information about the exercise.  The U.S. Embassy strongly rejects all speculation and allegations about this exercise. As we have said many times, as part of …

The U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina notes the judgment of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).  The United States supports the critically important work of the ICTY and respects its ruling. Today’s verdict in the case of Prlic et al. is an important step toward holding to …

The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo views today’s verdict of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the case of Ratko Mladic as an important step toward holding to account those individuals responsible for the tremendous suffering of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among other crimes, Mladic was found guilty of genocide in …

The Embassies of the United Kingdom and United States of America are deeply concerned about conclusions reached by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) on Thursday, following information submitted by the RS Center for the Investigation of War, War Crimes and the Search for Missing Persons.  In particular, we are troubled by the HJPC’s …

Today E.U. Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark and U.S. Ambassador Maureen Cormack met with BiH Presidency Member Bakir Izetbegovic. They discussed the need for renewed momentum on the Euro-Atlantic path, implementing reform commitments, and improving the rule of law. They agreed on the urgent need to address the excise package, and unlock €500 million of investments in …

Today U.S. Ambassador Maureen Cormack and EU Special Representative and Head of EU Delegation Lars-Gunnar Wigemark met with BiH Presidency Chair Dragan Covic. They discussed a number of issues concerning reforms, regaining momentum on the EU path, and improving the rule of law. On the 2018 General Elections, they emphasized the responsibility of all BiH …

Members of the U.S. military will begin arriving in June in Bosnia and Herzegovina in preparation for Exercise Jackal Stone 2017. Jackal Stone is part of the U.S. European Command’s Joint Training and Exercise Program, which is designed to enhance joint, combined interoperability with Allied and partner nations. Jackal Stone 2017 is a bilateral exercise …

In a demonstration of continued U.S. commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to strengthening democratic principles and institutions within the country, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hoyt Yee and Ambassador Maureen Cormack spoke with the RS President to underscore our concerns about his recent statements and actions, and to …

The U.S. Embassy congratulates the Presidency of BiH and the Minister of Defense on the completion of the Defense Review.  While it was years in the making, we welcome the spirit of cooperation that led to the drafting of a framework  for the future of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will right-size …

From November 14-18, the RS MUP will host forces from SIPA, the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, AFBiH, and the U.S. European Command for a host nation partnership training exercise to be held in and around Banja Luka. The exercise is the latest in a number of events intended to provide …

The U.S. Embassy position on the conduct of a referendum with regard to the RS Law on Holidays has been clear and consistent. Acting in disregard of a decision of the Constitutional Court blatantly violates the rule of law, and we count on competent institutions to address that violation in accordance with the laws of …

We call on all the parties to respect today’s decision of the BiH Constitutional Court.  The authority of the Court is clearly defined in Annex 4 of the Dayton Peace Agreement which gives jurisdiction to the Court to resolve disputes between levels of the government. We urge the leadership of the Republika Srpska to refrain from holding …

The Embassies of the United States of America and the United Kingdom, and NATO Headquarters Sarajevo welcome the decision by the BiH Presidency to issue clear direction to the Ministry of Defense to complete BiH’s Defense Review.  The completed Review will define the Armed Forces’ size and capability, frame modernization plans, and identify resources required …

The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo views today’s verdict by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in the case of Radovan Karadzic as an important step toward holding the individuals who were responsible for the tremendous suffering of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina to account.  We hope that it can provide some sense …

The U.S. Embassy is saddened by the death of U.S. diplomat and Presiding Arbitrator of the Arbitral Tribunal for the Dispute Over the Inter-Entity Boundary in the Brcko Area Roberts B. Owen.  Mr. Owen served as Presiding Arbitrator since his appointment in July, 1996, and in that role made a lasting contribution to peace and …

We in the United States Embassy to BiH extend our sincerest condolences to the families of Private First Class Armin Salkic and Corporal Nedeljko Radic, the soldiers killed in last night’s terrorist attack in Rajlovac, and to their friends and colleagues in the Armed Forces of BiH, for whom we have the deepest respect.  Our …

The United States Embassy is alarmed at the direction in which this planned referendum is taking the Republika Srpska as an entity, and the threat it poses to the security, stability, and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.   We oppose this referendum and any preparation for it as as a violation of the Dayton Peace Accords, …

As Former President Clinton said in his remarks honoring the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica today, it took courage for PM Vucic to attend the commemoration. The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo condemns the subsequent attack on the Prime Minister.   Many of the mourners were horrified by the violence and disheartened that it disrupted …

The U.S. Embassy strongly echoes the sentiments expressed by Ambassador Power on the floor of the United Nations yesterday, voices throughout the U.S. Government, and members of the international community who were equally disheartened by Russia’s decision to veto the Security Council resolution commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide.  As Ambassador Power noted, …

The U.S. Embassy to Bosnia and Herzegovina condemns the April 27 terrorist attack on the police station in Zvornik.  We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Dragan Djuric who was killed in the attack, to the police officers who were injured in the line of duty, as well as other employees of Zvornik …

The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo urges members of the the Republika Srpska National Assembly to show their commitment to the Dayton Peace Agreement by refraining from adopting any declaration that would disregard the authority of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. To explicitly express intent not to implement the pending decision of the Constitutional …

Yesterday’s formation of the Council of Ministers and the Federation Government allows the elected officials to turn their focus rightfully to a demanding reform agenda that must be addressed immediately. Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina expect tangible progress in a number of areas including job creation, rule of law, struggle against corruption and progress towards …

The U.S. Embassy welcomes the decision of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to proceed with the conclusion and entry into force of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This is an important milestone on the path to EU integration.  Outlining and implementing the actual reform agenda in coming months will be difficult, …

The U.S. Embassy in Sarajevo has communicated to both politicians and citizens of BiH our deep concern regarding proposed legislation on Public Peace and Order scheduled for debate by the Republika Srpska National Assembly, believing that it poses a direct challenge to the fundamental human right to freedom of expression. The U.S. Government supports efforts …