The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina supported today's meeting of the Anti-Discrimination Forum Trebinje (ADF) to mark its tenth anniversary.
Ever since it was founded in 2013, the ADF has aimed to strengthen civil society organizations' capacities to identify, report and address human rights concerns and discriminatory practices. The ADF has also worked tirelessly with decision makers at all levels to incorporate the needs of vulnerable groups and groups facing discrimination when developing legislation.
"The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina has been supporting the ADF for the past 10 years. ADF presents a unique platform for discussing human rights and anti-discrimination topic in Trebinje and Eastern Herzegovina. Members of the ADF are civil society organizations, public institutions from Trebinje as well as the Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman/Ombudsmen of BiH. Through all these years, ADF members, with the support of the Mission, have engaged in discussing and devising advocacy strategies on key human rights issues. The Mission is committed to continue supporting the ADF going forward", said Esther Garcia Fransioli, Acting Head of Human Rights Section of the OSCE Mission to BiH.
Representative of the Institution of Human Rights Ombudman/Ombudsmen of BiH, Regional Centre Mostar, Naida Spužević, has been regular member of ADF Trebinje since its foundation. She noted:
"In the past years, the Ombudsman Institution has made a significant contribution to the work of ADF through open communication and counselling its members. The ADF also serves as an exchange platform between the Ombudsmen Institution's Regional Office in Mostar and local CSOs and NGOs, not only in sharing of practices and experiences but also addressing concrete cases of discrimination and violations of human rights. The Ombudsman Institution will continue to support the promotion of human rights through the work of ADF as well as through contacts with individual NGOs and CSOs in eastern Herzegovina." she said.
"The Association 'International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights' is a regular member of the Anti-Discrimination Forum. I must highlight that the Forum created opportunities for networking of non-governmental organizations and discussion focused on issues of importance to the promotion and protection of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, with an aim of building and developing a better, and more just society for all." said the President of the Association, prof. dr. Aleksandra Vuković. "The Association participated in the work of the Forum - important topics discussed include labor and social legislation, anti-discrimination legislation with an emphasis on workplace bullying and harassment, employment, the right to healthcare and social protection, rights of national minorities, to name a few. In its further engagement and as part of the Forum, the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights will continue to highlight the importance of the principles of equality, tolerance and non-discrimination as the cornerstone of any democratic society."
