2017 Pink Report - Annual Report on the State of Human Rights of LGBTI People in Bosnia and Herzegovina
2017 Pink Report - Annual Report on the State of Human Rights of LGBTI People in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Summary/Abstract: The years 2016 and 2017 brought about significant changes in the context of the number of violations of LGBTI human rights documented by Sarajevo Open Centre. The number of cases of discrimination and violence on the ground of sexual orientation documented by Sarajevo Open Centre did not decrease, neither did the number of LGBTI persons who contacted Sarajevo Open Centre in search of assistance in asylum seeking, changing the sex marker in documents, adequate psychological support or help in obtaining documents required for marriage/same-sex partnership in countries which allow it. Of particular concern is the increase of domestic violence and peer violence motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity, and the growing number of open and public instances of homophobic and transphobic views in the academic institutions and the academia as a whole. It is clear that, in addition to amendments to laws and public policies, it is necessary for the institutions in BiH to develop specific programmes and measures of action to combat intolerance, xenophobia, violence, and discrimination and to encourage social inclusion of LGBTI people. The improvement of the legal framework in BiH – the amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Law and introduction of sex characteristics as a protected ground, the amendments to the Criminal Code of FBIH and regulation of hate crime – is certainly commendable but these legal novelties should however be introduced into the mandatory training of civil servants, the judiciary and the police. The general public should also be informed about them to contribute to their implementation and the achievement of their purpose. The first step in that regard has already been made in the Gender Action Plan operational plans of entity governments and the Council of Ministers, but this type of action with regard to LGBTI human rights must continue and become more comprehensive. The Special Report on LGBTI Rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina produced by the Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman of BiH is the first of its kind and certainly serves as basis for the change of attitude towards LGBTI human rights in BiH. In its analysis of the situation and recommendations, the report departs from the practice of healing the consequences and takes a proactive approach to the improvement of human rights of LGBTI citizens in BiH with the overall goal to improve the conditions of their everyday life in BiH and to respect their human dignity.

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