The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes the adoption of the amendments to the Law on Weapons and Ammunition by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska.These amendments constitute an important step in the modernization of the Republika Srpska legal framework governing civilian weapons and ammunition. They also contribute to strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s overall arms control framework by bringing legislation further into line with international standards and OSCE commitments.

Crimes involving the targeting of victims’ ethnic identity account for substantial proportions of hate crimes recorded by authorities internationally. Hate crimes involving religious bias are usually much fewer in number. However, there is a close association in Bosnia and Herzegovina between persons’ ethnic origins and their religious background.

BANJA LUKA, 3 July - Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, visited Banja Luka on 2 and 3 July for meetings with representatives of Republika Srpska institutions, political parties and the media, reaffirming the Mission's commitment to dialogue and co-operation with stakeholders across Bosnia and Herzegovina.