Title

Bosnia: Should the OSCE Certify Conditions Exist for Free and Fair Elections?

Wednesday, June 26, 1996
311 Cannon House Office Building
Washington D.C., DC 20515
United States
Members: 
Name: 
Hon. Christopher Smith
Title Text: 
Chairman
Body: 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Name: 
Hon. Benjamin Cardin
Title Text: 
Commissioner
Body: 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Name: 
Hon. Steny Hoyer
Title Text: 
Commissioner
Body: 
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Moderator(s): 
Name: 
Ambassador Robert Frowick
Title Text: 
Mission Head
Body: 
OSCE Mission to Bosnia
Witnesses: 
Name: 
Ambassador William Montgomery
Title: 
Special Advisor
Body: 
President and Secretary of State for the Implementation of the Bosnian Peace Settlement

The Helsinki Commission is focusing on what it considers one of the most important international events of this year, the elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Commission has held several briefings on this topic already with election experts from the United States, with members of the Provisional Election Commission from Bosnia, with representatives of political parties from that country, and most recently, with persons close to the situation in Banja Luka.

Human rights organizations and others following the situation in Bosnia have warned that conditions for a free and fair election simply do not exist; and yet, the U.S. Government and some European governments have pressured the OSCE to certify nonetheless.

A robust discussion on curbing rampant political gerrymandering and obstructions to free and fair elections will be underscored in the hearing.

Relevant issues: 
Relevant countries: