OSCE Mission to BiH 🇧🇦

It was a pleasure to welcome a group of international interns from the Post-Conflict Research Center to the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina today. Representing leading universities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and China, the interns learned more about the Mission's work in supporting human rights, democratic governance, education reform, the rule of law, and long-term peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange views on the challenges and opportunities of working in a post-conflict society, the importance of strong democratic institutions, and the role of international organizations in supporting sustainable peace and security. Engaging with young people from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds is an important part of fostering dialogue, encouraging critical thinking, and inspiring the next generation of professionals committed to peace, human rights and democratic values. We thank the @PCRCBiH for their continued co-operation and wish the interns every success in their academic and professional journeys.

Today and every other day, we remember the victims of the Srebrenica genocide and honour their memory with dignity and respect. Ambassador Holtzapple, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, joined the commemoration ceremony, laying flowers in tribute to those who lost their lives and standing in solidarity with survivors and families. Remembrance, truth, and accountability remain essential to building lasting peace.

Шеф Мисије ОЕБС-а у Босни и Херцеговини, амбасадор Рик Холцапл, састао се данас са митрополитом дабробосанским Хризостомом, потврђујући посвећеност Мисије континуираној сарадњи са Српском православном црквом у промоцији слободе вјероисповести или уверења и јачању међуерелигијског дијалога. --- Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, met today with Metropolitan Hrizostom, reaffirming the Mission's commitment to continued co-operation with the Serbian Orthodox Church in promoting freedom of religion or belief and strengthening interreligious dialogue.

A constructive exchange with Ana Trišić-Babić, Acting Director of the RS Office for International Co-operation, focused on political developments, engagement priorities, and opportunities to further strengthen co-operation between institutions in Republika Srpska and #OSCEBiH. — U fokusu današnjeg konstruktivnog razgovora ambasadora Holtzapplea sa Anom Trišić-Babić, vršiteljicom dužnosti direktorice Kancelarije Republike Srpske za međunarodnu saradnju: političke prilike, prioriteti i jačanje saradnje između institucija Republike Srpske i Misije OSCE-a u BiH.

Ambassador Rick Holtzapple met today in Banja Luka with the RSNA Speaker Nenad Stevandić to discuss legislative priorities, political developments ahead of the 2026 General Elections, and the importance of inclusive dialogue and effective institutions in serving citizens across Bosnia and Herzegovina. —— Ambasador Rick Holtzapple sastao se danas u Banja Luci sa predsjednikom Narodne skupštine Republike Srpske Nenadom Stevandićem kako bi razgovarali o zakonodavnim prioritetima, političkim dešavanjima uoči Opštih izbora 2026. godine, te važnosti inkluzivnog dijaloga i efikasnih institucija u službi građana širom Bosne i Hercegovine.

Current political developments and priorities ahead of the 2026 General Elections were main topics during the meeting of  #OSCEBiH Head of Mission Ambassador Rick Holtzapple with Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić. Discussions also focused on continued co-operation between the OSCE Mission and RS government on education, security, and strengthening institutional dialogue. —- Aktuelna politička dešavanja i prioriteti uoči Opštih izbora 2026. godine bili su glavne teme sastanka šefa Misije OSCE-a u BiH, ambasadora Ricka Holtzapplea, sa predsjednikom Vlade Republike Srpske, Savom Minićem. Ambasador Holtzapple i predsjednik Vlade Minić takođe su razgovarali o nastavku saradnje između Misije OSCE- u BiH i Vlade Republike Srpske u oblasti obrazovanja i sigurnosti, te jačanju institucionalnog dijaloga.

Discussing political developments in Republika Srpska and at the State level, Ambassador Rick Holtzapple met with SDS President Branko Blanuša to exchange views on electoral preparedness, opposition co-operation, and the importance of meaningful youth participation in political processes. —— Ambasador Rick Holtzapple sastao se danas u BL sa predsjednikom SDS-a Brankom Blanušom, sa kojim je razgovarao o političkoj sceni u Republici Srpskoj i na državnom nivou, pripremama za izbore, saradnji unutar opozicije i značaju adekvatnog učešća mladih u političkim procesima.

Continuing his visit to Banja Luka, Ambassador Rick Holtzapple met with Bojan Kresojević, member of the PDP Caucus in the RSNA to discuss the political landscape in Republika Srpska and at the state level, opposition co-operation, electoral integrity, and priorities ahead of the 2026 General Elections. ——- U nastavku posjete Banjoj Luci, ambasador Rick Holtzapple sastao se s Bojanom Kresojevićem, članom Kluba poslanika PDP-a u Narodnoj skupštini Republike Srpske kako bi razgovarali o političkoj situaciji u Republici Srpskoj i na državnom nivou, saradnji opozicije, izbornom integritetu i prioritetima uoči Opštih izbora 2026. godine.

Today in Banja Luka, #OSCEBiH Head of Mission Ambassador Rick Holtzapple met with Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan to discuss current political developments, priorities ahead of the 2026 General Elections, and the importance of constructive dialogue and co-operation in the interest of all citizens. —— Šef Misije OSCE-a u BiH, ambasador Rick Holtzapple, sastao se danas u Banjoj Luci sa predsjednikom Republike Srpske, Sinišom Karanom kako bi razgovarali o aktuelnim političkim dešavanjima, prioritetima uoči opštih izbora 2026. godine, te važnosti konstruktivnog dijaloga i saradnje u interesu svih građana.

Today, #OSCEBiH supported the Second Conference of National Minorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for representatives of institutions, national minorities councils, civil society and international partners to discuss ways to strengthen political participation and representation. “The political participation of national minorities is essential for building inclusive, representative and democratic institutions,” said Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, Head of @OSCEBiH. The conference focused on electoral reform, representation mechanisms and practical steps to advance equal participation for all communities in public and political life.

.@OSCEBiH, in close co-operation with @OSCE_Skopje, together with OSCE SALW projects in South-Eastern Europe and Ukraine, organised a Regional K9 Specialised Qualification Course in North Macedonia. Six BiH police dog handlers and their service dogs participated. The course strengthened SALW, ammunition and explosives detection capacities. Thanks to our donors: 🇦🇹🇨🇿🇪🇺🇫🇷🇩🇪🇱🇮🇳🇴🇸🇰🇪🇸🇹🇷🇺🇸.

Misija OSCE-a u Bosni i Hercegovini oštro osuđuje nedavni femicid počinjen na području Grada Gračanice i izražava saučešće porodici i prijateljima žrtve. Ovaj slučaj još jednom naglašava potrebu za hitnim jačanjem preventivnih i zaštitnih mehanizama na svim nivoima, kao i za unapređenjem institucionalne odgovornosti i međuinstitucionalne saradnje kako bi se osigurala pravovremena reakcija i spriječili takvi ishodi. Nasilje u porodici i nasilje nad ženama ostaju ozbiljno sigurnosno i društveno pitanje koje zahtijeva sistemski pristup i odlučan te efikasan i koordiniran odgovor nadležnih institucija. #EndVAW #NoExcuse #NemaIzgovora The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina strongly condemns the recent femicide committed in the area of the City of Gračanica and expresses its condolences to the family and friends of the victim. This case once again highlights the need to urgently strengthen preventive and protection mechanisms at all levels, as well as to enhance institutional accountability and inter-institutional co-operation to ensure a timely response and prevent such outcomes. Domestic violence and violence against women remain a serious security and societal issue that requires a systemic approach and a decisive, efficient and co-ordinated response from the competent institutions.

“The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina enabled us to make our military sites safer and to manage ammunition and explosive ordnance in a safe and secure manner.” — Lieutenant General Gojko Knežević, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina Safer storage sites. Better-trained personnel. More secure risk management. Through its co-operation with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the OSCE has for years supported the enhancement of military site security and strengthened personnel capacities for the safe management of weapons, ammunition, and explosive ordnance. Today, 30 years later, one thing is clear: The most important results are often the ones we do not see - but the ones that make all of us safer. #OSCEBiH #Security #ArmsControl #ArmedForcesBiH #Partnership #BosniaAndHerzegovina „Мисија ОЕБС-а у БиХ омогућила нам је да наше војне локације учинимо безбједнијим и да муницијом и минско-експлозивним средствима управљамо на сигуран начин.“ — генерал-пуковник Гојко Кнежевић, начелник Заједничког штаба Оружаних снага БиХ Безбједнија складишта. Јачи капацитети. Сигурније управљање ризицима. Кроз сарадњу са @OruzanesnageBiH, годинама подржавамо унапређење безбједности војних локација и јачање капацитета персонала за безбједно управљање наоружањем, муницијом и минско-експлозивним средствима. Данас, 30 година касније, јасно је: најважнији резултати често су они које не видимо — али који све нас чине безбједнијим.