Joint Submission of the BiH Civil Society Initiative for UPR for the 4th Universal Periodic Review on the State of Human Rights Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Joint Submission of the BiH Civil Society Initiative for UPR for the 4th Universal Periodic Review on the State of Human Rights Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Amil Brković, Aida Daguda, Bojana Ilić, Amina Dizdar, Darko Pandurević, Dajana Cvjetković, Dragana Dardić, Delila Hasanbegović Vukas, Filip Novaković, Ena Kljajić Grgić, Katarina Zrinjski, Maida Zagorac, Damir Sadović, Nataša Maros, Mersiha Jaskić, Vesna Iliktarević, Tea Pokrajčić, Željka Umićević
Contributor(s): Dajana Čelebić (Editor)
Subject(s): Politics, Gender Studies, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Civil Society, Sociology
Published by: Sarajevo Open Centre
Keywords: BiH; human rights; periodic review; situation; joint submission;
Summary/Abstract: The BiH Civil Society Initiative for UPR is an informal coalition of fourteen (14) civil society organisations from across Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) which act in various fields of promotion and protection of human rights.1 In December 2018, Sarajevo Open Centre gathered potential members of the Initiative by targeting expert human rights organizations in different fields. The methodology for the joint submission included choosing the recommendations from the previous 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), desk research of the recommendation status, researching the measures and activities necessary for the realization of the recommendation, measure realization status and the activities of the recommendation in B&H, as well as the recommendations for the relevant institutions. Considering that the members of the Initiative have been acting in the field of human rights protection and promotion in B&H for a number of years, apart from desk research, they have also used the information gathered during their work with the target groups. Since its establishment, this is Initiative’s second joint submission. The following Initiative’s members submitted information for the joint submission: Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), Civil Society Promotion Center (CPCD), CURE Foundation, Helsinki Citizens` Assembly Banja Luka, My Right – Empowers People with Disabilities, Sarajevo Open Centre (SOC), Transparency International in BiH (TI BiH), TRIAL International. In the period 2019-2024, B&H faced many challenges which had an effect on the protection of human rights of the B&H citizens. Although the NPM is in the process of being established, it is not yet operational. Government levels in B&H still react on ad hoc basis with no systematic approach to gender inequality. The Constitution of B&H remains discriminatory, both in terms of the participation of "others" in legislative and executive power, and in terms of gender equality. Women are consistently underrepresented in executive bodies at the entity, cantonal, and local levels. Many of the goals and activities that were set out in the Action plan to Improve the State of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of LGBTI People in B&H for the period 2021-2024 are not implemented yet. The relationships between same-sex partners and their partnerships are not regulated in any administrative unit in B&H. The executive and legislative authorities at the B&H level should prioritise the adoption of the new Law on the Protection of Persons who Report Corruption. The resolution of war crimes cases has been extended by two years since the existing deadline stipulated by the Revised Strategy for War Crimes Cases was not met. HRDs face a lack of public support for their work, and violence against them often goes unpunished, sometimes even encouraged. Rare efforts are invested in making online and offline space for civil society safer. Systematic and coordinated actions of all relevant actors' are needed for comprehensive and sustainable improvements of rights of people with disabilities. Within the content of this submission, the referenced number of the recommendation for Bosnia and Herzegovina from the 3rd UPR cycle on which the paragraph is referring to is indicated and bolded at the beginning of each paragraph.

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