«Respect of democracy and human rights is one of fundamental principles of the European Union and therefore I am glad to be here today with the students who successfully finalised the European Regional Master’s Degree for Democracy and Human Rights in the Southeast Europe», stated Maria Farrar – Hockley, Head of Operations Section for Justice and Home Affairs, Administrative Reform and Civil Society within the European Commission Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the award Ceremony which took place on 2 November 2009, at the Rectorate of the University of Sarajevo.

«Knowledge and respect for human rights is one of the most important issues for the countries of the region but also for their integration into the EU», stated Ms Farrar – Hockley, and emphasised:

«In its 2009 Progress Report for Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Commission stated that a limited progress was made in the key reform areas. The constitutional framework must be reformed in order for the institutions to function more efficiently. This affects the fundamental democratic rights of BiH citizens. When it comes to the promotion of the human rights, the Report states that a limited progress was made in this area and this is a common position for the majority of the countries in the region. As for the civic and political rights, the increase of physical violence and threats against the journalists and editors was noted, which represents a serious threat to the freedom of expression. Creation of fear and limiting the criticism brings into question the democratic achievements « – stated Farrar – Hockley. However, she also emphasised the positive achievements: the refugee return process, return of property and activities by the State Ombudsman. Therefore the professionalization in the area of human rights is something that the European Union supports continuously, and this Study, which represents a long-term investment, is an important part of that project”, concluded Farrar – Hockley.

H.E Mr Raimondo De Cardona, Ambassador of Italy to BiH, also addressed the participants. «BiH is a country that does not stop surprising and this is also the case because the European Commission estimated that these studies were proclaimed the best of all those financed by the EC. Our support shows how much we trust in this projects which builds civil society in the Western Balkans region, especially in BiH. I believe that this is a long-term project as well as the cooperation with the University of Bologna», stated Ambassador De Cardona. Speaking of the experience that students get during their visits to other educational centres in the Balkans and also the importance of being a part of the European universities’ experience, Ambassador De Cardona also reflected on the visa liberalisation issue.

»It is very important to fulfil all the necessary conditions for the visa liberalisation. That is why I believe that the progress will be made in 2010, mostly because of the students themselves, because that will enable them obtain experience from their counterparts in the European centres. Because Europe is not just a dream» – stated Ambassador De Cardona, who reflected on the experience that the University of Bologna can share with others.

ERMA programme is co-financed by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy. It is a Masters Programme aimed at students who will combine the practical experience in the area of human rights with the academic studies which promote the development of the generation of young civil servants, members of the inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

Professor Stefano Bianchini, Deputy Director of the ERMA Programme and Professor Francesco Privitera, University of Bologna, also spoke at the Ceremony and emphasised that the support of the European Union was encouraging and that they all had a common future.

The awards were given to 24 students from the region. This is the eighth generation of the ERMA studies and the diploma award ceremony was also used to to welcome the ninth generation of the young people who will participate in the Programme.