Pink report. Annual report on human rights of LGBT persons in 2012 in B&H
Pink report. Annual report on human rights of LGBT persons in 2012 in B&H

Author(s): Mariña Barreiro, Vladana Vasić, Saša Gavrić
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Evaluation research, Social differentiation
Published by: Sarajevo Open Centre
Keywords: LGBT population; human rights; BiH; report;
Summary/Abstract: Authorities in BiH are not really aware that LGBT persons are a part of society and consider their rights inferior to the rights of other groups. This kind of attitude is mostly explained by the low number of visible LGBT persons, and the common consideration that this (meaning homosexuality) or them (meaning LGBT persons) do not exist in BiH. When discussing LGBT rights, most institutions in BiH assume that the prohibition of discrimination regulated by the Anti-discrimination Law in BiH is enough to enable the protection and equality of LGBT persons with other citizens of BiH, and are not sensible enough to notice or deal with other issues that LGBT persons face daily in BiH. Throughout 2012, as LGBT topics have become more visible in BiH through the media coverage, which is still mostly sensational and shocking in order to attract the viewers, and through the work of organisations working on LGBT human rights and activists, hate speech and hate crimes aimed at LGBT people have become more evident as well. The increased visibility of LGBT activism in 2012 was followed by hate speech on web portals, which became even more severe and threatening. In all the cases presented in this report, the response of the authorities was either non-existent or insufficient, and in some of the cases the perpetrators of the incidents were officials. Authorities consistently fail or refuse to condemn the hate speech and intolerance aimed at LGBT persons or to sanction the perpetrators, which leads to the lack of trust of LGBT persons have in governmental institutions. This lack of trust results in LGBT persons not reporting more serious incidents and cases such as discrimination and hate crimes. The first step to better recognition and protection of the rights of LGBT persons is the harmonisation of existing legislation with the Anti-discrimination law of BiH. This was supposed to be done by 2010, but has not yet been completed. Other changes to legislation, such as the introduction of hate crimes and proper prohibition of hate speech, should be included in the Criminal Code of the Federation of BiH, in order to promote and enhance the protection of the rights of LGBT persons, as well as all individuals and minority groups in BiH. Authorities should also be aware that legislation itself is not enough to prevent the violation of human rights of LGBT persons and that they must enforce these laws and regulations. The authorities should also organise mandatory trainings and education for all public officials and personnel, such as police officers and public administration employees.

• Details
• Contents