OHR Press Releases

The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, on Wednesday issued a series of Decisions which will address the systemic weaknesses in the civilian control over BiH’s armed forces, brought to light by investigations into the Orao Arms-for-Iraq affair and the related revelations that the VRS has spied on BiH citizens, politicians, International Organisatio [...]

The PLIP agencies (OHR, UNHCR, OSCE, CRPC) wish to announce that the Property Law Implementation reached 76% throughout BiH as of the end of February 2003. 81% of claims were resolved in the Federation BiH; the Republika Srpska resolved 69% of the property claims while Brcko District resolved 79% of the property claims filed with the housing offi [...]

The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, yesterday issued a Decision extending the ban on the allocation of state-owned land in BiH, first introduced by a Decision of the High Representative on 27 April 2000. The ban is extended until 15 May 2003, i.e. until the enactment of legislation, in particular the consolidated and harmonized Law on Construct [...]

The New Croat Initiative (NHI) has failed to sanction Mr. Mijat Tuka, a NHI Deputy in the BiH House of Representatives, forcing the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, to take action himself. The High Representative removed Mr. Tuka from his position today, in line with the letter he sent to NHI Party President, Kresimir Zubak, on 20th of March.

A two-day meeting of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) starts this afternoon. During this two-day meeting the PIC will meet senior International Community, BiH and Entity representatives. Together with the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, and his deputies, the PIC will hear from BiH’s highest ranking government executives; the BiH Prime Mi [...]

On 20 March 2003, OHR, OSCE and UNHCR sent a letter to Ministers of both Entities competent for social welfare, urban planning, displaced persons and refugees issues urging them to adequately plan for a fully functioning social welfare system. This letter was a timely reminder of the pressing needs, especially in light of the expected completion o [...]

OHR, UNHCR, OSCE, and EUPM strongly condemn the assault on the Head of the Housing Office in Zvornik, Republika Srpska, that occurred yesterday morning. According to the information available at this time, the Housing Office Head was stabbed by a displaced person who was to be evicted in accordance with law that day from a home he had been occupyin [...]

The High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, following consultations with the Republika Srpska (RS) authorities, today issued a Decision transferring the ownership of the Battery Factory “A.S.” a.d. Srebrenica to the Foundation of the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial and Cemetery. The High Representatives Decision also establishes a Commission, which is to [...]

Visiting Mostar on Friday, the High Representative, Paddy Ashdown supported a plan to set up a Commission that will produce a comprehensive proposal for the political and administrative future of the city. "It is clear that the people and authorities in Mostar have recognized the need for reform. The consensus has been reached that the time has co [...]