(RSF/IFEX) – While speaking at a symposium of Bosnian intellectuals on 29 November 1997, Bosnian President Alija Itzetbegovic attacked the magazines “Svijet”, “Slobodna Bosna” and “Dani”, describing them, in an ironic tone, as “independent”. Itzetbegovic also called the magazines “traitors”, and said that they “spread information contrary to the interests of Bosnia-Herzegovina”. He added that […]
(RSF/IFEX) – While speaking at a symposium of Bosnian
intellectuals on 29 November 1997, Bosnian President Alija
Itzetbegovic attacked the magazines “Svijet”, “Slobodna Bosna”
and “Dani”, describing them, in an ironic tone, as “independent”.
Itzetbegovic also called the magazines “traitors”, and said that
they “spread information contrary to the interests of
Bosnia-Herzegovina”. He added that they were “financed by foreign
sources”. Itzetbegovic was speaking loudly as he criticised
certain articles printed in the three magazines.
The day after, echoing Itzetbegovic’s remarks, the religious
leader of the Muslim community in Bosnia-Herzegovina called for
people to mobilise against media outlets that attack “Muslim
values”. He was speaking on the leading public television channel
in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
to maintain their independence vis-a-vis political and religious
authorities as well as to defend the idea of an multi-ethnic and
pluralistic Bosnia-Herzegovina, as is the goal of the
international community
the verbal harassment of “Svijet”, “Slobodna Bosna” and “Dani”
Appeals To
Carlos Westendorp
Leading civilian representative in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Sarajevo
Fax: +387 71 44 74 20
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
