OFFICE OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (OHR)
Mission/Mandate:
“Office of the High Representative (OHR) is an ad hoc international institution responsible for overseeing implementation of civilian aspects of the accord ending the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The position of High Representative was created under the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, usually referred to as the Dayton Peace Agreement that was negotiated in Dayton, Ohio, and signed in Paris on 14 December 1995. The High Representative, who is also EU Special Representative (EUSR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is working with the people and institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the international community to ensure that Bosnia and Herzegovina evolves into a peaceful and viable democracy on course for integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions.” (OHR Website, http://www.ohr.int/ohr-info/gen-info/default.asp?content_id=38519, accessed on 5 October 2007)
Target group:
Governments, UN, EU, international organisations, civil society, NGOs, local and international media.
Objective:
- Monitor the implementation of the peace settlement.
- Maintain close contact with the parties to the Agreement, to promote their full compliance with all civilian aspects of the Agreement.
- Co-ordinate the activities of the civilian organisations and agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure the efficient implementation of the civilian aspects of the peace settlement. The High Representative shall respect their autonomy within their spheres of operation while as necessary giving general guidance to them about the impact of their activities on the implementation of the peace settlement.
- Facilitate, as the High Representative judges necessary, the resolution of any difficulties arising in connection with civilian implementation;
- Participate in meetings of donor organisations.
- Report periodically on progress to the United Nations, European Union, United States, Russian Federation and other interested governments, parties and organisations.
Funding:
The OHR is funded by the PIC (Peace Implementation Council: 55 countries and agencies that support the peace process in many different ways). Its budget in 2007 is 6.6 million Euros. Contributions to the OHR budget break down as follows: EU 53%, USA 22%, Japan 10%, Russia 4%, Canada 3.03 %, OIC 2.5%, others: 5.47% (OHR Website, http://www.ohr.int/ohr-info/gen-info, accessed on 5 October 2007).
Scope of reporting:
Geographic focus: Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Thematic focus: Political situation, elections, constitutional reform, European partnership, rule of law, cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY), economy, public administration, refugees and displaced-person return, media.
Reporting methodology:
Monitoring of the political and economic situation in BiH. The OHR also reports on its own activities. Publication of press releases, speeches, articles and interviews.
Publication cycle:
Report of the High Representative to the UN Secretary-General: Quarterly.
Report to the European Parliament: Biannually.
Articles on current issues: Weekly.
Languages:
English, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian.
Navigation of website:
Reports on the political and economic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Press & Public Info > HR’s Reports / Articles / Press Releases
Additional references:
