YIHR BiH: Cyprian youth pays visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina

10. 7. 2010. Youth Initiative for Human Rights activists in Bosnia and Herzegovina met with the groups of Cyprian youth on July 5, within the action sponsored by UNDP-ACT fund.

Our volunteers presented projects implemented or being implemented by the Initiative, and made a general overview of the situation in BiH institutions and society. Taking into consideration that the Initiative activists are experienced in working with divided communities, it seemed to be the most interesting part of the presentation prepared for the group composed of young people from both Greek and Turkish part of Cyprus.
Similarity of Cyprus and BiH, in terms of issues tackling ethnic division problems, apartheid, functioning of a state, facing the truth, and human rights in general opened floor for discussions and exchange of experiences.

Through presentation of actual situations in the respective countries , we developed mutual understanding of the essence of the problems encountered by our countries, and recognized a key potential in future exchange and dialogue between the new generation that were not immediate conflict participants.

Conclusion of the meeting was that Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina share number of issues resulting from ethnic conflicts, and that occurrence of some issues is more frequent in Cyprus than in Bosnia (ethnic segregation), and vice versa , occurrence of some issues is more frequent in Bosnia and Herzegovina than in Cyprus (war crimes, facing past).

We hope this is a beginning of cooperation that will introduce us into the process of broader exchange of experience at European level, between individuals and groups that are directly jeopardized by ethnic divisions and apartheid of modern times.