Jim Murphy

Queer Sarajevo Festival

This week saw the launch of the 'Queer Sarajevo Festival' . This was meant to be a celebration of  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights and freedoms in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to promote tolerance and diversity. I was shocked and saddened to hear that following an outbreak of violence on Wednesday night the organisers felt they had to take the decision to cancel the remainder of the festival.
 
Homophobic violence has no place in any society. Bosnia and Herzegovina has signed up to various international human rights treaties that forbid discrimination and under Bosnian law such discrimination is illegal. It is important that all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and all over the world, should be allowed to enjoy their human rights without fear of violence, intimidation or discrimination on the basis of their beliefs or sexuality. The British Embassy has been keeping in close touch with the festival organisers and issued a joint press statement with other Embassies in Sarajevo condemning the violence. And as the UK Government, we urge the Bosnian authorities to take strong action against those who perpetrated this violence.

Posted at 15:36 26 September 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[2]

Diplomacy on the pitch

Last night, at Sarajevo's Skenderija sports centre, I had one of the more light hearted moments of my time in BiH. I played in a football match between the British Embassy and local politicians and diplomats.

I had hoped for a diplomatic draw but we lost 4-3 in a competitive match. It was unusual in another way for me too - I injured my knee ligaments in a bruising tackle from a member of my own team! Anyway, thanks to everyone who helped organise it and played and supported (and a special thank you to the BiH doctor who treated me after the game!).

Posted at 14:42 21 March 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[0]

Day 2 in Sarajevo

My first appointment in a beautifully snowy Sarajevo this morning was a visit to the International Commission on Missing Persons. Set up in 1996 and funded by a number of countries, including the UK, it is the largest human identification project in the world. The Commission's focus has been on ensuring the cooperation and the parties to the Dayton Agreement and then assisting in the location and identification of missing people from the four year conflict. A key part of this work has been pioneering work on the identification of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in 1995. Its work has provided thousands of families. with a kind of closure now that they are able to bury and mark the remains of fathers, husbands, uncles, brothers and sons. I saw first hand the remarkable, cutting edge science which is part of the process of matching DNA between relatives and the remains found. And through being able to offer burials for families, the Commission's work has also brought families and communities together. The Commission also works further afield, and has provided invaluable knowledge and expertise following Hurricane Katrina and the tsunami in 2004, for example. After my tour of their Sarajevo-based offices and laboratories, I also did a press conference with the Commission's Chief Operating Officer, Adam Boys, and there is real interest in the vital work it's doing. Find out more about the work of the ICMP here (www.ic-mp.org/).

Posted at 16:47 19 March 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[0]

Visiting Sarajevo

Today I'm visiting Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzogovina - a hugely historic city both in the recent and more distant past - at both ends of the 20th century (read more about the country's history here). I hope to be able to see some of that history during my 3 day visit, but my priority will be to communicate the message, to politicians and the public, that the UK is absolutely supportive of BiH's European ambitions. As you know, BiH is not a member of the EU, but it is very keen to join. We are committed to providing the support needed to help ensure the necessary conditions are met, but I'll also be making clear to all of the politicians I meet that making a European future a reality depends on delivery of key reforms, and following the Dayton Peace agreement. You will recall that that agreement was to help reconcile Bosnian Serbs, Croats and Muslims after the dreadful civil war in this part of the former Yugolslavia. BiH's political leaders have a real chance to make a hugely positive contribution in writing a new chapter in their future, by allowing the citizens to enjoy the benefits of full European integration. I will keep you posted.

(PS I 'm also looking forward to playing football for the British Embassy's team, against the BiH All Stars. Watch out for footage later in the week!)

Posted at 16:24 18 March 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[0]