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FREEDOM OF MOVEMENTBrcko Supervisor Orders End to Fee CollectionOn 30 August, the Deputy High Representative and Supervisor for Brcko Ambassador Farrand issued orders for the RS police to stop charging for "RS visas" and for road tolls from travellers crossing into Brcko using the bridge from Croatia. Ambassador Farrand noted that it is illegal for the RS entity to charge for visas and referred to specific cases in which RS police and customs authorities stationed on the bridge have collected visa fees and tolls. Farrand referred to a 21 August letter from Senior Deputy High Representative Ambassador Wagner to RS President Plavsic and Prime Minister Klickovic notifying them that the RS road toll regulations and the practice of enforcing such tolls are in violation of the BiH Constitution as they constitute illegal discrimination, obstruct freedom of movement, and violate the competencies of the joint institutions of BiH in the field of foreign policy. Based on this, Farrand ordered that activities related to the collection such fees on the bridge cease without delay. THREATS TO LIBERTY AND SECURITYTravnik Deaths Under Joint InvestigationOn 30 August, local police informed UN IPTF that two Croat men (a father and his son who had returned to the area in 1996) were killed in the Travnik (Fed) area when someone fired nine shots at them through a window of their home. Croat and Bosniak police are jointly investigating the case, and forensic and ballistics examinations are underway. Local police and UN IPTF reported that the motive for the crime is still unclear and noted that no reports of harassment of the two men or of any other Croats in this village had been reported. UN IPTF is monitoring the investigation, which they note is one of the first joint efforts by Croat and Bosniak police in the area. RIGHT TO RETURNBosniaks Return to Villages Around JajceBetween 16-21 August, the agreement of 5 August for Bosniak return to villages around Jajce (Fed) was implemented. During this period, about 400 heads of families registered for return in an operation that was monitored by SFOR, UN IPTF, UNHCR, and local authorities. Human rights monitors report that the majority of returnees feel secure enough to stay overnight in the villages and have begun reconstruction and cleaning of their homes. Returns to Bucici (Fed) and Divicani (Fed) were momentarily delayed on 19 and 20 August, respectively, when local Croat leaders tried to reduce the number of agreed-upon returnees, but the process was put back on track following an intervention by the Office of the High Representative. The return process was marred by two mine incidents on 20 August, when two returnees were seriously injured. These mines were located on an often-traversed main road in a mixed Bosniak-Croat area, raising speculations that they were planted. Humanitarian organisations note that the next step to ensuring permanent return is reconstruction of homes, since most are currently damaged and unsuitable for habitation through the winter months. On 5 September, donor agencies and Federation authorities met in Sarajevo and pledged initial funds for reconstruction and humanitarian assistance for realisation of the Canton-wide return programme.
Pilot Project Returns to Stolac Postponed THREATS TO MONITORING ENVIRONMENTInternational Community Targeted Amidst Political Unrest in RSDuring the early morning hours of 27 August, crowds in Brcko looted and damaged the UN IPTF station and property, stoning the station and damaging about 65 vehicles. Angry mobs also attacked international personnel, including three UN IPTF monitors who sustained minor injuries and a few SFOR soldiers who suffered non-fatal, though more serious, injuries. Brcko residents were aroused by air raid sirens during the night and Brcko radio called upon local citizens to rally against "occupying forces." Crowds gathered during the night at local police stations and proceeded to damage, vandalise, and overturn vehicles owned by international organisations. A number of international staff members were also threatened following radio broadcasts which incited local residents who house members of the international community to "throw out all foreigners." Brcko Supervisor Farrand condemned media incitement of violence against SFOR and the international community and held talks with Brcko municipal authorities during the day, underlining that he holds local authorities personally responsible for any violence that occurs. SFOR noted that its troops showed tremendous professionalism and restraint dealing with "orchestrated mobs." Elsewhere, on the night of 26 August, a UN IPTF monitor was returning to his accommodation when he was stopped by five people in Foca (RS). The people threatened him and put a hand grenade to his face. On 27 August, a UN vehicle was damaged outside the station in Pale (RS). INSTITUTIONAL AND POLICY DEVELOPMENTSNGOs Meet in BihacOSCE and the Bihac-based non-governmental organisation Democratic Circle organised a conference on 22-24 August in Bihac (Fed) which brought together representatives from thirty-five local NGOs based in Bihac, Sanski Most, Livno, Glamoc, and Drvar, among other places. Representatives of local media, the NGO Information and Support Centre, UNHCR, USAID, Malteser, and other international partners participated in discussions on media, funding, and networking. Bosnian participants discussed specific types of projects in working groups moderated by OSCE staff, which concentrated on income generation, women's issues, education and rule of law. The conference concluded with a .discussion on the possibility of strengthening ties between local non-governmental organisations based in Bosniak-majority areas and those in Croat-majority areas.
Festivals in Mostar Bring Youth Together
Red Cross Updates Guidebook for Returnees NOTE: The HR Report is based on the most recent information available to the OHR from inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations. Questions on specific items should be directed to the reporting organisation or to the HRCC. Please send information for inclusion in the report to 387-71-447-420, attention Leah Melnick (leah.melnick@ohr.int), Kristina Koch (kristina.koch@ohr.int), or Vladimir Stanisic(vladimir.stanisic@ohr.int).
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