Statement by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Recent Media Attacks and Stigmatizing Rhetoric Targeting Human Rights Defender Milica Pralica

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) expresses its concern regarding recent media attacks and stigmatizing rhetoric directed at human rights defender Milica Pralica, President of Oštra Nula, following her appearance on BHRT. Attempts to discredit Ms. Pralica and her legitimate human rights work through inflammatory language and narratives contribute to a hostile environment for human rights defenders and civil society actors.

Human rights defenders and public service media must be able to carry out their legitimate work free from intimidation, harassment, or efforts to discredit them because of their views or professional activities. The Mission calls on all public actors and media outlets to redouble their efforts toward respectful public discourse; to uphold the freedom of expression and media freedoms; and the to respect the vital role of civil society in democratic societies.