News and press releases

The OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) strongly condemns the 11 September act of vandalism at the Orthodox cemetery in Pečuj near Zenica and expresses heartfelt sympathy to those affected by the desecration of these tombstones.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) unequivocally condemns all forms of violence, including acts directed against political actors.

The Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), Zahid Movlazada, concluded a two-day (Sept. 9-10) visit to Livno, Drvar, and Bihać, engaging with key Mission stakeholders and counterparts across Canton 10 and Una-Sana Canton to advance dialogue on pressing local issues and reinforce co-operation with the Mission.

Regarding the 28 August 2025 Decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to call early elections for the President of Republika Srpska (RS), in line with the legal mandate of the CEC BiH, the applicable electoral framework, and the decisions of the Court of BiH and Constitutional Court of BiH, the OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) underlines once again that upholding the constitutional order and the rule of law is non-negotiable and remains crucial for stability and democracy in BiH.

Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, concluded a two-day visit to Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscoring the Mission’s continued commitment to supporting reforms and strengthening co-operation with local institutions.

The Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), Zahid Movlazada, visited Banja Luka today and yesterday, where he met with RSNA Deputy Speaker, Mirsad Duratović, Head of SNSD Caucus in the RSNA, Srđan Mazalica, Head of the PDP Caucus in the RSNA, Igor Crnadak, RS President’s Advisor, Ana Trišić Babić, and President of Independent Movement “Svojim putem”, Igor Radojičić.

Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, a career diplomat with the U.S. Department of State, assumed his duties as the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 14 August 2025.