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As part of the Ludovika Scholars Program (LSP), the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies of the National University of Public Service and the Institute for European Strategy Research of the Eötvös József Research Centre organised the Dr. Nevenko Vranješ, Professor at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Banja Luka and Ombudsman for Human Rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina, "Challenges of Human Rights Protection in a Divided Society - The Case of Bosnia and Herzegovina" on 16 October.
The event was opened by Dr. Réka Varga, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Dr. Iván Gyurcsík, Regional Rector's Advisor, Head of the Minority Policy Research Workshop and Programme Director of the LSP. In his welcome speech, Dr. Iván Gyurcsík said that the LSP was launched in July 2022, in line with the steps taken by Gergely Deli, Rector of the National University of Nationalities and Youth (NKE), to internationalise the region.
Dr. Nevenko Vranješ presented his lecture in a broader socio-historical and socio-political context. He said that while globalisation has brought economic growth and technological development, it has also increased social inequality and has had an impact on cultural diversity and environmental protection. He also pointed out that for centuries Bosnia and Herzegovina had been under the influence of foreign powers, which had a negative impact on the development of democratic values.
He stressed that the Dayton Peace Agreement ended the 1992-1995 civil war in Bosnia, but did not bring about true reconciliation between nations. He underlined that the ethnically defined political system suffers from serious inefficiencies.
He said that the Ombudsman's office had dealt with nearly 2,800 complaints in 2023, mainly for violations of civil and political rights, as well as economic and social rights. Common complaints include police abuse, corruption, slowness of the legal system and discrimination.
In his presentation, Professor Vranješ stressed the need to strengthen the rule of law and the judiciary, to develop a modern administrative system and to take measures to repair war damage.
In his view, the restoration of reconciliation and trust in institutions is a prerequisite for stability and social progress.
Professor Vranješ held discussions on cooperation between the two institutions with the management of the university and the EJKK in the framework of the LSP's professional programme. Dr. Petri Bernadet, Head of the Institute for Strategic European Studies, discussed the enlargement policy in the Western Balkans and related EU research.
We look forward to developing mutual cooperation between the institutions through this programme.
Prepared by:
Tímea Zsivity