ZAGREB, May 20 (Hina)- Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and Bosnia-Herzegovina Minister for Human Rights and Refugees Kresimir Zubak on Monday called on Croats, refugees from Bosnia currently living in Croatia, to participate
in the general election in Bosnia to be held on October 5 this year.
ZAGREB, May 20 (Hina)- Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula and
Bosnia-Herzegovina Minister for Human Rights and Refugees Kresimir
Zubak on Monday called on Croats, refugees from Bosnia currently
living in Croatia, to participate in the general election in Bosnia
to be held on October 5 this year.#L#
The Croatian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the meeting
was attended by representatives of refugee Croats, civil society
and the Church in Bosnia who should motivate voters to participate
in the election. Voters need to register by June 20 this year.
Minister Zubak stressed that the election were an opportunity for
Croats as a constituent nation, to ensure active participation in
government bodies in the Republika Srpska, adding that the great
majority of refugee Croats from Bosnia come from the territory of
the Republika Srpska.
Representatives of refugee associations and displaced Croats from
Bosnia in Croatia said that the main obstacle to participating in
the election was their fear that if they do participate they could
lose their social and other rights currently enjoyed in Croatia.
Minister Picula denounced these fears emphasising that by taking
part in the election Croats could have a more significant role in
realising their rights in Bosnia without threatening their rights
in Croatia.
It was agreed that a working group would be set up consisting of
members of the associations present together with the B-H Electoral
Commission to co-ordinate the work of motivating voters to take
part in the election.
The meeting was attended by Bosnian Ambassador to Croatia Zlatko
Dizdarevic and Croatian Ambassador to Bosnia Josip Vrbosic.
(hina) sp sb