I am aware of Amnesty International’s report “ We Need Support, Not Pity” which gives a very disturbing account of the legacy of wartime violence, and in particular the horrific crimes of sexual violence which were perpetrated against the women and girls of Bosnia during the Balkan Wars.
I support all efforts to ensure that those affected are afforded access to adequate rehabilitation, including the medical and psychological assistance which is so critical to recovery. We fully support the assistance that the EU provides to NGOs with particular expertise in this area, for example Medica Zenica, Vive Žene, Udružene Žene and the Agency for Cooperation, Education and Development (ACED) and regard the support network they provide as essential.
Ireland continues to support Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European path – an integral part of which is ensuring that human rights, including the right to justice, are fully respected. In the December 2016 Presidency Conclusions, the European Council emphasised “the need to continue handling domestic war crimes cases without discrimination, as well as addressing impunity and ensuring accountability”. Along with our European partners, we will continue to ensure that appropriate benchmarks are met in the key areas of justice and fundamental human rights.
The next country report on Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to be published by the European Commission in late Spring 2018.
