Pink Report 2024. Annual Report on the State of Human Rights of LGBTI People in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pink Report 2024. Annual Report on the State of Human Rights of LGBTI People in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Summary/Abstract: The past year and period have seen a number of negative events that have had a significant impact on the human rights of LGBTI people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The trend that has been visible for years is becoming increasingly evident, demonstrating that, while the progress and position of LGBTI people in BiH is unsatisfactory throughout the country, there is a growing disparity when comparing the two entities. Over the last year, in the Republika Srpska entity, we have witnessed an organised attack by hooligans on BH Pride March activists in Banja Luka, a series of examples of incitement to violence and discrimination of LGBTI people by the highest officials of the Republika Srpska and public figures, organising groups and non-governmental organisations with a clear anti-gender agenda, as well as announcements of the abolition of “gender identity” as a prohibited ground in the Criminal Code of the Republika Srpska and other regulations. All these events cannot be viewed in isolation, and it is evident that they are part of a process and movement with international partners and support, as well as anti-democratic and anti-Western principles that the authorities in the Republika Srpska implement without much objection from the opposition and despite the international community’s messages which remain limited in scope and effect. On the other hand, whereas processes in the Republika Srpska tend to suffer substantial setbacks, processes in the FBiH entity are best described as stagnant. Although there are signs of at least partial institutional openness to regulations and policies concerning key human rights issues of LGBTI people, it is clear that the processes are moving too slowly, and that no significant progress has been made on key matters such as regulating same-sex partnership, improving legal framework for freedom of assembly in the Sarajevo Canton, providing accessible healthcare and regulating administrative issues for transgender people or hate speech. Some of the bright examples include the quick and efficient reactions of the prosecutor’s offices, such as the one in the Sarajevo Canton, where there were major threats to the safety of LGBTI people as in the case from the beginning of the year, which will be discussed individually in this report. However, the most significant progress was achieved in the Brčko District in March 2024, when the Brčko District Assembly amended the Criminal Code, including in it the criminal offence of public provoking or inciting hatred on the ground of sexual orientation and gender identity. Finally, one of the positive aspects is the work and dedication of certain state institutions in monitoring and promoting the Action Plan to Improve the State of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of LGBTI People in BiH, which was adopted at the state level. The work and development of certain formal and informal collectives that have been active in the territory of BiH in the past period is significant, as stated in the report’s final chapter. However, based on all the information gathered, the coming period will be marked by the need for joint action of all actors dealing with human rights in BiH in order to stop the regressive trends that are gaining more influence on public life in BiH and the human rights of LGBTI people.

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