East Novo Sarajevo Mural: OSCE Urges Prompt Response
A slur was removed from a Serbian tricolor mural in East Novo Sarajevo, and the OSCE Mission to BiH wants the authorities to respond publicly to such messages.
The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina has called on the competent authorities to respond promptly and consistently to offensive messages in public spaces, after the word “genocide perpetrators” was removed from a Serbian tricolor mural in East Novo Sarajevo. The mural shows a symbol that is also in official use in Serbia, so the case does not concern the local community alone. The Mission’s reply came in answer to an inquiry from the Srna news agency.
What happened on the building on Spasovdanska Street?
The East Novo Sarajevo police station received a report on October 20 at 8 a.m. that an unknown person had damaged the mural. On October 21 the inscription was removed from the mural on a residential building on Spasovdanska Street. A man from Sarajevo with the initials N. K. was arrested on suspicion of writing it. We have already reported on his arrest.
Once the case file is documented, police will file a report with the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH against the suspect over a criminal offense. Until proven otherwise, he is only a suspect.
What did the OSCE Mission say?
The Mission said that attributing collective guilt to an entire community is not in line with the principles of individual responsibility, respect for human dignity and genuine reconciliation. It also voiced concern over the recent rise in divisive rhetoric and offensive, hostile narratives, including messages on billboards, murals and graffiti.
In the Mission’s assessment, such messages deepen distrust, encourage intolerance and undermine efforts to build peace and inclusive communities. In its reply to Srna, the Mission added a call addressed to all sides:
“The Mission calls on political leaders, public figures and citizens to refrain from such actions. It calls on the competent authorities to respond to such incidents promptly, consistently and transparently, in order to strengthen public trust in institutions.”
The same reply states that mutual respect, understanding and constructive dialogue are essential for peace and for the future of everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What did the Mission say about the BHRT journalist?
In a statement to the Fena agency, the OSCE Mission to BiH condemned attempts to prevent BHRT journalist Vladimir Susak from doing his job, as well as attacks that challenge the legitimacy of the public broadcaster. The incident took place on Monday, October 19, at a Republika Srpska Government press conference, where Susak asked Prime Minister Sava Minic a question. The Mission told Fena:
“Journalists must be able to do their work without intimidation, humiliation or discrimination, regardless of the media outlet they represent. Public officials and political leaders have a special responsibility to respect and protect media freedom, not to undermine it. The OSCE Mission to BiH calls on them to refrain from such conduct and to allow journalists to do their work safely and without fear.”
The Mission described respect for journalists and their safety as one of the basic preconditions of any democratic society.
The two statements concern different events, but both appeal to people in public office. Police have yet to file the report with the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH over the mural inscription, and they did not say when they will.
