LINTA WARNS OF SYSTEMIC RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF SERBS IN FBiH

BELGRADE, APRIL 28 /SRNA/ – The President of the Association of Serbs from the Region Miodrag Linta has stated today that a long-standing pattern of systemic discrimination against Serbs is being carried out in the Federation of BiH, adding that the recent omission of the Serbian language in a job advertisement is just one of many examples.

Linta warned that in a recent job posting, the employer listed "native so-called Bosnian or Croatian language", as well as English, as mandatory requirements, deliberately omitting the Serbian language and, he said, sending a chauvinistic message that they do not wish to employ a person of Serbian nationality. He called on international organizations in the Federation of BiH to condemn such discriminatory intent and to demand that those responsible be sanctioned in accordance with the law. Linta stressed that omitting the Serbian language in a job advertisement constitutes a serious violation of the Constitution, the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, and the decision on the constituent status of Serbs and the equality of the Serbian language and Cyrillic script in the Federation alongside the other two languages. He reminded that such an offense carries fines ranging from BAM 10,000 to 30,000 for legal entities. "Numerous facts confirm that the small number of remaining Serbs are not welcome in the Federation of BiH and are therefore forced to leave their homes. They feel like third-class citizens and know they cannot expect protection, meaning they are left to fend for themselves," Linta stated.