CONCERN OVER MESSAGES ON BILLBOARDS, MURALS AND GRAFFITI

SARAJEVO, OCTOBER 21 /SRNA/ – The OSCE Mission to BiH has expressed concern over messages displayed on billboards, murals and graffiti, responding to SRNA after an offensive message was written on the flag of Republika Srpska in Istočno Novo Sarajevo. It urged the competent authorities to respond promptly to such incidents.

The OSCE said assigning collective blame to an entire community was incompatible with the principles of individual responsibility, respect for human dignity and genuine reconciliation.

The mission expressed particular concern over what it described as a recent rise in divisive rhetoric and offensive and hostile narratives, including messages on billboards, murals and graffiti.

It said such messages deepen mistrust, fuel intolerance and undermine efforts to build peace and inclusive communities.

"The Mission calls on political leaders, public figures and citizens to refrain from such actions. It urges the competent authorities to respond to these incidents promptly, consistently and transparently in order to strengthen public trust in institutions," the OSCE said in its response.

The mission also stressed that mutual respect and understanding, along with constructive dialogue, were essential for peace and the future of everyone in BiH.

The inscription "genocidaires" was removed today from a mural depicting the Serbian tricolor on a residential building in Istočno Novo Sarajevo.

Police arrested a Sarajevo resident identified by the initials N. K. on suspicion of writing the offensive inscription on the mural.