"The need for fair and equal treatment of minorities and different ethnic groups has been central to the conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina and thus to the resolution of that conflict and its constitutional development. Despite huge efforts on many levels, criticism of conditions in the country still persists. It is clear that further efforts, including to implement the international obligations entered into, will have to be made with a commitment to strengthen the multi-ethnic character of the state.The question of the rights of minority groups and those of persons belonging to minorities seems, however, to be a difficult topic for nearly all countries in the world. A close look will reveal that a vast majority of states has one or more minority groups on its territory. As the UN Guide to Minorities states: “Although no firm statistics exist, estimates suggest that 10 to 20 per cent of the world's population belong to minorities. (...).”"