Muiznieks: Reconciliation in Western Balkans stalled, ethnic divisions grow

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks says that the reconciliation process in the Western Balkans has stalled.

In his latest Human Rights Comment, Muiznieks also noted that ethnic divisions and polarization have been growing in the region.

"These relate in particular to denial of genocide, glorification of war criminals and attempts to rehabilitate persons involved in crimes committed during the 1990s' wars," the CoE cited him on its website, adding:
"What is more, divisions have been exacerbated by World War II-related historical revisionism, inflammatory discourse by certain political leaders, and persisting ethnic segregation in education."

In the report, written after he visited the region, Muiznieks says that it is "high time for the region's political leaders to work jointly to address issues of the past and to forge a common...