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The Office of the High Representative notes the issuance by the Banja Luka city authorities of the long overdue urban permit for the reconstruction of the Ferhat Pasha Mosque. It follows an appeal launched by the Islamic Community against the urban permit issued last November.
In issuing this permit, ordered by the Human Rights Chamber in its June 1999 Decision, Mayor Davidovic and the members of his administration have fulfilled the responsibilities of their office. The issuance of the urban permit is the first step in this process. After submitting their first application in March 1997 and numerous delays spanning twenty months since the Decision by the Human Rights Chamber, the Islamic Community of Banja Luka is now able to present blueprints for the construction of the mosque and to request the building permit. The OHR expresses its hope that there will be no delays in the issuance of the building permit given the delay that has occurred with the urban permit. Under Annex 6 of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Human Rights Chamber decisions must be fully complied with within the time limits specified by the Chamber. In its June 1999 Decision, the Chamber had ordered the Republika Srpska authorities "to swiftly grant the applicant, as requested, the necessary permits" and "to report by 11 September 1999 on the steps taken by it to comply with the above orders." The RS simply ignored this deadline and only now issued the urban permit. The OHR considers the facilitation of the reconstruction of Ferhadija mosque a litmus test for the authorities to demonstrate their commitment to the Dayton Peace Agreement, reconciliation, return and mutual respect. When the Steering Board met at the level of Political Directors on 7 December last year, it called upon the parties to "fully support and facilitate the reconstruction or repair of all significant historical and religious monuments and places of worship," of which Ferhadija Mosque is one of the most famous. It is the first of the seven mosques that will be rebuilt in Banja Luka as per the Human Rights Chamber Decision and in future, expediency by RS authorities in issuing of all permits will be expected. The issuance of the urban permit marks an important step forward from the criminal destruction in May 1993 of one of the most precious historical monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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