FEDERATION OMBUDSMEN EXPOSED TO CONTINUAL POLITICAL PRESSURES

( Editorial: --> 2991 ) SARAJEVO, May 11 (Hina) - The governing structures of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina are continually exerting pressure on the Federation ombudsmen and ignoring their instructions on measures which should be taken in cases of human rights violations, the Executive Committee of the Institute of European Ombudsmen warned on Monday. After a two-day session in the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, the Executive Committee adopted a resolution calling on all political parties in the Croat-Muslim Federation, especially on Parliament and the Government and administration, to accept independence and impartiality of the institution of ombudsmen, which is the main guarantee of the future rule of law and freedom and security of all citizens. The session of the Executive Committee took place in Sarajevo and not in Innsbruck, where the organisation is based, due to the serious situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, caused by a stalemate in the implementation of the Washington and Dayton agreements, the president of the Institute of the European Ombudsmen, Nikolaus Schwarzler, told a press conference in Sarajevo. From the talks held here we have concluded that responsibility for this situation rests with political leaders from all three ethnic groups, said Schwarzler. The situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina could be much better if the governing structures were ready to respect instructions given by the ombudsmen, he said pointing to extremely difficult problems in the return of refugees. It is inadmissible that refugees still live in refugee centres although they have expressed a wish to return to their homes, Schwarzler said adding that one should establish responsibility of those preventing the return. According to the resolution adopted in Sarajevo, the state has to guarantee absolute independence for ombudsmen and grant them access to all documents. The Federation authorities, it is reminded, are responsible for the situation in the area of human rights and therefore have to carry out instructions given by the ombudsmen. The three Federation ombudsmen - Esad Muhibic, Vera Jovanovic and Branka Raguz - are being pressured into giving up their independence for the benefit of a certain political or ethnic group. A Dutch ombudsman Nora Salomons said that the Federation ombudsmen were working under extremely difficult conditions and called on the media to support them. (hina) rm/mrb , 111345 MET may 98