OSCE CONDEMNS VERBAL ATTACK BY HAYAT JOURNALIST ON SNSD MPs

SARAJEVO, MARCH 18 /SRNA/ - The OSCE Mission to BiH condemned an incident in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH in Sarajevo, where a journalist from the Federation-based media outlet Hayat TV Emerin Ahmetašević verbally attacked the head of the SNSD Caucus Sanja Vulić and MP Milorad Kojić.

The OSCE told SRNA that any behavior that incites division and is unprofessional is to be condemned, as it undermines the importance of critical dialogue on key issues that affect the lives and well-being of people in BiH. "As detailed in the 2021 Joint Declaration on Politicians and Public Officials and Freedom of Expression, participants in democratic discourse have a responsibility to promote and protect freedom of expression and the right of access to information," the OSCE Mission to BiH stated. The Mission calls on the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, political representatives, the media, and the competent institutions to always approach their work constructively. "This will enable better and more productive political discussions and decisions that will benefit all citizens of BiH," the OSCE Mission to BiH added. On Monday, March 16, while following the session of the House of Representatives from the press room, Emerin Ahmetašević uttered an insulting remark during the addresses by Sanja Vulić and Milorad Kojić, calling them "real Chetniks". Vulić told SRNA today that she, together with MP Milorad Kojić, has filed a criminal complaint with the Prosecutor's Office of BiH against the Hayat TV journalist from Sarajevo Emerin Ahmetašević for the criminal offense of inciting national, racial, and religious hatred, discord, and intolerance.