The OSCE Mission and the British Embassy in Bosnia condemned attacks and pressures on journalists and columnists in the country in a joint statement on Wednesday, urging authorities to investigate such cases.

The full statement follows:

“Ambassadors Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and Matt Field, British Ambassador to BiH, strongly condemn all attacks and undue pressure on the media in the country, including the most recent attack on a BNTV female journalist, threats against columnists Dragan Bursać and Srđan Puhalo and web portals such as klix.ba and inforadar.ba.

Any and all threats and attacks against journalists should be thoroughly investigated, including in particular when perpetrated by public officials, who are expected to serve as role models for respectful and accountable behaviour.

The British Embassy in BiH and the OSCE Mission to BiH will continue to closely monitor and call attention to violations of journalists’ rights, in particular those committed against female journalists, as they carry out their vital roles to inform the public in a free and democratic environment.”