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SARAJEVO, November 30 (FENA) - It is very important for BiH to be the pillar in implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the region, said Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH Semiha Borovac today before the opening of the Second Regional Conference "Implementation of Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe – Challenges and Next Steps", organized by Gender Equality Agency of BiH.
Borovac reminded that BiH is the first country in the region that ratified the Convention on Combating All Forms of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and that BiH is ahead in certain activities such as making of the action plan and other documents that include measures for solving these problems.
Borovac emphasized that violence against women and domestic violence leave long-term and severe consequences not only on individuals or families but also on the entire society and that it is BiH's interest to solve this problem in a comprehensive way.
She emphasized importance of regional cooperation and added that countries in the region have done a lot when it comes to implementation of the Istanbul Convention, and that the conference is an opportunity to exchange knowledge, experience, good practice and challenges to help each other in solving these difficult issues.
Minister of Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro Mehmed Zenka believes that cooperation can lead to best solutions for protection of women against all forms of violence.
He reminded that Montenegro is one of the top five countries that signed the Istanbul Convention and seriously approached implementation of commitments stemming from that convention.
Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo Drahoslav Štefanek emphasized there are many myths and legends regarding the Istanbul Convention, and that it mainly focuses on fight against violence against women and domestic violence.
He emphasized that BiH will have to submit a report on implementation of the Istanbul Convention next year.
Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH awarded a grant from the USAID project amounting to 160 000 KM at the Conference today within marking of "16 Days of Activism" for nine non-governmental organizations that offered programs in assisting implementation of measures from the Istanbul Convention.
Regional conference is being held within project 'Building Capacity of Institutions for Solving Gender-based Violence in BiH', which is financially supported by the USAID.
(FENA) A. B.
