Series:Analitika - Policy Brief

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Local Communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Potential of Neglected Institutions

Local Communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Potential of Neglected Institutions

Author(s): Mirna Jusić / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; local communities; neglected institutions; potential;

Results of research on local communities (LCs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) presented in this policy brief indicate that their participation in various local issues is of direct importance to community needs. The research also points to a variety of possible roles that LCs could undertake depending on community needs. However, most LCs in BiH have been left de facto without tasks, capacities and resources, with their role reduced to representative bodies without the institutional memory necessary for continuity of their work. This policy brief features a number of recommendations for the improvement of the institutional development of LCs, as well as their various functions.

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Public Institutions and The Internet: Policies and Practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Public Institutions and The Internet: Policies and Practice in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Nevena Ršumović,Tarik Jusić,Amar Numanović / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; public institutions; internet; policies; practices;

Freedom of Access to Information Laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina do not contain provisions on the publishing of public information online, which impedes the development of proactive transparency of public institutions. Moreover, different sector laws and special policies, as well as guidelines and recommendations that pertain to the maintenance of websites of public institutions, partially oblige public bodies to publish certain types of information on the Internet. Such a fragmented legal framework for online information disclosure leads to uneven and undeveloped practice of web presence and transparency of public institutions in BiH. It is of key importance to improve the existing Freedom of Access to Information Laws by introducing provisions on mandatory proactive disclosure of a wide spectrum of information on the websites of public institutions, and operationalize such disclosure further in bylaws on the development and maintenance of official websites.

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Regulation of Mobbing in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Context of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination

Regulacija mobinga u Bosni i Hercegovini u kontekstu zakona o zabrani diskriminacije

Author(s): Mario Reljanović / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: BiH; mobbing; regulation; discrimination; law on prohibition of discrimination;

Kompleksnost diskriminacije i mobinga u posljednjim je decenijama rezultirala donošenjem posebne zakonske regulative u gotovo svim evropskim državama. Iako pravna regulativa u Bosni i Hercegovini prepoznaje mobing kao oblik diskriminisanja, čini se da je neophodno donošenje posebnog zakona u ovoj oblasti, koji bi pravni režim zaštite od mobinga potpuno odvojio od zaštite od diskriminacije, te predvidio sve potrebne elemente borbe protiv mobinga, uključujući i snažnu preventivnu dimenziju.

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A Neglected Standard in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Proactive Dimension of the Right to Access Information

A Neglected Standard in Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Proactive Dimension of the Right to Access Information

Author(s): Nermina Voloder / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; neglected standards; information access; rights; public administration; public authorities;

The legal framework on the right to access information in Bosnia and Herzegovina does not contain an established duty of public institutions to voluntarily disclose information in their possession relevant to the public, even without a specific request. Such a legal framework deviates significantly from recent international standards in this area, which stipulate that public institutions must not only reply to individual requests, but that they should proactively disclose certain categories of information in the public interest. The concept of proactive transparency is not adequately regulated in such a legal framework, which is reflected, among other things, in the fragmentation and only partial regulation of the duty of proactive disclosure of information in the public interest, as well as in the lack of legal protection of information users. An analysis of regulations relevant to the proactive segment of the right of access to information indicates the necessity of establishing in law minimal standards relating to the content and quality of the publication of information in the public interest.

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Personal Data in The Judicial and Prosecutorial Acts: The Arguments for and Against Anonymisation

Lični podaci u sudskim i tužilačkim aktima: argumenti za i protiv anonimizacije

Author(s): Amra Mehmedić,Emina Ćerimović,Edin Hodžić / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: Court; prosecutorial acts; anonymisation; personal data; BiH;

Počevši od 2010. godine, u mnogim pravosudnim institucijama u Bosni i Hercegovini (BiH) uvedena je praksa tzv. anonimizacije sudskih odluka i optužnica prije njihovog distribuiranja javnosti . Brojni sudovi i tužilaštva u BiH u optužnicama, presudama i saopćenjima koja se objavljuju na internetu ili distribuiraju javnosti na drugi način sada šti te sve lične podatke pojedinaca uključenih u krivične postupke. No, takva je praksa rezultat simplificirane interpretacije zahtjeva za zaštitom ličnih podataka u kontekstu krivičnih postupaka, u kojima je potrebno šti ti ti i druge vrijednosti , kakve su sloboda pristupa informacijama i javnost suđenja.

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Media Assistance in Serbia: Achievements and Challenges

Media Assistance in Serbia: Achievements and Challenges

Author(s): Davor Marko / Language(s): English

Keywords: Serbia; media; media system; assistance; reforms;

Media assistance programs played a significant role in the development of media system in Serbia during last 20 years. While in 1990s media assistance efforts focused on ensuring the survival of independent media outlets under the authoritarian rule of the Milošević regime, the scope of the assistance expanded after the regime collapsed in 2000, to address a range of issues, such as legal reforms, the establishment of regulatory bodies, the transformation of the state TV into a public service broadcaster, professionalization of journalism, and management of media outlets. However, in many ways the reforms still depend on continuous external support. Hence, this policy brief outlines key challenges to the media reforms, and lists several lessons that could inform the future media assistance efforts in Serbia.

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International Media Assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Lessons Learned

International Media Assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Lessons Learned

Author(s): Nidžara Ahmetašević,Tarik Jusić / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; media; international media assistance; law; media reforms; media pluralism;

Bosnia and Herzegovina has benefited from comprehensive and prolonged international media assistance efforts during the last two decades: the legal framework was thoroughly reformed; regulatory and self-regulatory mechanisms were introduced; the independent and commercial media sector received substantial support; and a public service broadcasting system was created. However, many reform initiatives have been met with fierce resistance, while others failed or were only partially successful. In some cases, once the donors and international actors reduced their involvement, the reform processes stopped or were reversed. This policy brief looks into the complex relationship between the local context on one side, and the media reforms that were initiated through international assistance programs on the other. The goal is to identify some of the key challenges to the media assistance efforts in the country, and eventually to draw some lessons for future assistance projects.

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Prosecuting Hate Crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Problems in Prosecutorial Practice

Prosecuting Hate Crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Problems in Prosecutorial Practice

Author(s): Azra Kuči / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; hate crimes; court; prosecution; prosecutorial practice; police; civil society;

Taking the current legal regulations pertaining to hate crimes as a starting point, Analitika conducted research to identify some of the key problems faced by prosecutors in Bosnia and Herzegovina in their practice of prosecuting hate crimes. The research has shown that problems arise at the very beginning of the investigation, due to shortcomings in police reports. The absence of official indicators for recognizing bias motivation causes difficulties for prosecutors and for the police. Furthermore, there is a perception of the prevalence of various manifestations of hatred and bias, which leads to difficulties in distinguishing important from less important incidents motivated by hatred. There are also practical problems, foremost among them being the lack of training in this area, lack of access to relevant literature and examples from comparative case law. Another significant factor contributing to the inadequate prosecution of hate crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina is related to structural problems such as the absence of a procedural protocol for these cases and the insufficient cooperation of prosecutors and the police with civil society.

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A City’s Decline: Towards the Prevention of Deterioration of Public Spaces in Sarajevo Neighborhoods

A City’s Decline: Towards the Prevention of Deterioration of Public Spaces in Sarajevo Neighborhoods

Author(s): Mirna Jusić / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; Sarajevo; public spaces; communal services;

The visible decline of public spaces in urban neighborhoods in Sarajevo is a result of a number of factors, including an imprecise normative framework and a lack of standards for certain communal services, as well as insufficient mechanisms of control of the delivery and quality of services in the areas of communal cleanliness and the maintenance of public areas. In addition, there are a number of obvious obstacles to the sanctioning of offences of littering, damaging or destroying urban spaces. Moreover, mechanisms of communication between responsible institutions and the residents of Sarajevo are wanting. This policy brief provides recommendations that aim to improve the current regulation and practice in order to prevent further physical deterioration of public spaces. It is primarily intended for the representatives of cantonal and local authorities in Sarajevo.

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A City’s Decline: Towards the Prevention of Deterioration of Public Spaces in Sarajevo Neighborhoods

Degradacija grada: ka sprečavanju propadanja javnih prostora u sarajevskim naseljima

Author(s): Mirna Jusić / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: BiH; Sarajevo; public spaces; communal services;

Očigledno propadanje javnih prostora u urbanim naseljima u Sarajevu rezultat je niza faktora, uključujući neprecizan normativni okvir i nedostatak standarda za pojedine komunalne djelatnosti , te nedovoljne mehanizme kontrole isporuke i kvaliteta usluga u oblasti ma komunalne čistoće i održavanja javnih površina. Također, evidentan je i niz prepreka sankcioniranju prekršaja koji se odnose na onečišćenje i uništavanje urbanih prostora, kao i neadekvatni mehanizmi komunikacije između nadležnih institucija i stanovnika Sarajeva. Ovaj sažetak nudi preporuke usmjerene na unapređenje aktualne regulative i prakse kako ne bi došlo do daljnje fizičke deterioracije javnih prostora, a prvenstveno je namijenjen predstavnicima kantonalne i lokalne vlasti u Sarajevu.

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From Collection to Prevention - Preconditions for Comprehensive Gathering of Information on Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina

From Collection to Prevention - Preconditions for Comprehensive Gathering of Information on Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Emina Ćerimović / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; discrimination; information access; politics; human rights: refugees;

As a result of the adoption of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina in July 2009, all institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are required to collect and keep records of data on cases of discrimination. According to this law, the institution responsible for monitoring its implementation is the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH. This Ministry is also obliged to coordinate the collection of data and to act as a central repository of data on discrimination in the broader sense. In addition, the Ministry has the responsibility to report on the instances and the scope of discrimination in the country. Almost four years later, numerous provisions of the law in this area have not been realized. As a consequence, it is not possible to map the actual state of discrimination in BiH, which ultimately does not allow for the formulation of adequate policies and activities of protection against discriminatory treatment in BiH, as well as its prevention.

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From Collection to Prevention - Preconditions for Comprehensive Gathering of Information on Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Od evidencije do prevencije: pretpostavke za sistemsko prikupljanje informacija o diskriminaciji u Bosni i Hercegovini

Author(s): Emina Ćerimović / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: BiH; discrimination; information access; politics; human rights: refugees;

Usvajanjem Zakona o zabrani diskriminacije u julu 2009. godine svim institucijama u Bosni i Hercegovini (BiH) propisana je obaveza prikupljanja i vođenja evidencije podataka o predmetima diskriminacije. Prema ovom zakonu, institucija odgovorna za nadzor nad njegovim sprovođenjem je Ministarstvo za ljudska prava i izbjeglice BiH. Ministarstvo je obavezno i da koordinira aktivnosti prikupljanja podataka te da djeluje kao centralni repozitorij podataka o diskriminaciji u širem smislu. Pored toga, Ministarstvo ima obavezu izvještavanja o pojavama i obimu diskriminacije. No, i skoro četiri godine nakon njegova usvajanja brojne odredbe Zakona o zabrani diskriminacije u ovom domenu ostaju neispunjene. Posljedica toga je nepostojanje uvida u stvarno stanje diskriminacije u društvu, što onemogućuje razvoj i provođenje adekvatnih politika i aktivnosti usmjerenih ka suzbijanju i zaštiti od diskriminatornog postupanja u Bosni i Hercegovini.

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Judicial Protection from Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Analysis of Laws and Practice Based on Initial Cases in This Field

Judicial Protection from Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Analysis of Laws and Practice Based on Initial Cases in This Field

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; discrimination; judicial protection; laws; practices; initial cases;

In the course of 2011 and 2012, Analitika conducted a research on the key issues regarding the protection of individuals from discrimination, based on the (rather limited) court practice in this area in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The research has shown, inter alia, that courts often misunderstand and incorrectly interpret key novelties in civil proceedings concerning the protection from discrimination, such as shifting the burden of proof on the defendant, and that the legally prescribed urgency of anti-discrimination proceedings is generally not respected. Moreover, some legal provisions, such as the ones setting extremely unfavourable costs of the proceedings for the victims of discrimination giving extremely short deadlines for filing anti-discrimination lawsuits, or determining that the territorial jurisdiction of the court be based on the place of residence of the defendant, and not the plaintiff , are not in accordance with best practice in this area, and as such, present an additional obstacle for the effective litigation against discrimination in BiH.

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Judicial Protection from Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Analysis of Laws and Practice Based on Initial Cases in This Field

Sudska zaštita od diskriminacije u Bosni i Hercegovini: analiza zakonskih rješenja i prakse u svjetlu prvih predmeta u ovoj oblasti

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: BiH; discrimination; judicial protection; laws; practices; initial cases;

Tokom 2011. i 2012. godine Analitika je provela istraživanje o ključnim problemima u zaštiti pojedinaca od diskriminacije iz perspektive, isti na ograničene, sudske prakse u ovoj oblasti u Bosni i Hercegovini. Istraživanje je, pored ostalog, pokazalo da sudovi često ne razumiju i pogrešno interpretiraju ključne inovacije u parničnom postupku za zaštitu od diskriminacije, kao što je prebacivanje tereta dokazivanja na tuženog, te da se zakonom propisana hitnost antidiskriminacijskog postupka u pravilu ne poštuje. Pored toga, pojedina zakonska rješenja, kao što su ona koja se odnose na režim troškova postupka – koji je izrazito nepovoljan po žrtvu diskriminacije, prekratke rokove za podnošenje antidiskriminacijske tužbe ili na mjesnu nadležnost suda prema sjedištu tuženog, a ne tužitelja, nisu u skladu sa najboljom praksom u ovoj oblasti te, kao takva, predstavljaju dodatnu prepreku za efektivno utuživanje diskriminacije u Bosni i Hercegovini.

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Unused Potential: The Role and Importance of Non-Governmental Organizations in Protection Against Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Unused Potential: The Role and Importance of Non-Governmental Organizations in Protection Against Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Boris Topić / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; discrimination; protection; NGO; civil society; role; importance;

The Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination BiH, inter alia, allows non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in BiH to provide support to victims of discrimination by participating in judicial proceedings on behalf of plaintiff and, for the purpose of abstract protection of victims of discrimination, by filing a collective lawsuit. Although the antidiscrimination law has already been in force for three years, the number of proceedings instigated under this Law is very low, and the participation of NGOs in its implementation is practically negligible. The obstacles preventing NGOs in engaging more actively in antidiscrimination proceedings are partly the result of the legal provisions themselves, but are primarily the consequence of certain practical problems, such as: the lack of stimulating environment for the participation of NGOs in judicial proceedings, the lack of financial and human resources and the technical problem of the lack of records on instigated proceedings.

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Unused Potential: The Role and Importance of Non-Governmental Organizations in Protection Against Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Neiskorišteni potencijal: uloga i značaj nevladinih organizacija u zaštiti od diskriminacije u Bosni i Hercegovini

Author(s): Boris Topić / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: BiH; discrimination; protection; NGO; civil society; role; importance;

Zakonom o zabrani diskriminacije BiH nevladine organizacije (NVO), između ostalog, su ovlaštene da pruže podršku žrtvama diskriminacije uključujući se u sudski postupak na strani tuženog, kao i da u cilju apstraktne zaštite žrtava diskriminacije podnesu kolektivne tužbe. Iako je antidiskriminacioni zakon na snazi već tri godine, broj postupaka povodom ovog zakona je vrlo mali, a ušešće NVO-a u njegovom provođenju gotovo zanemarivo. Prepreke koje sprečavaju nevladine organizacije da se aktivnije uključe u postupke za zaštitu diskriminacije se djelimično odnose i na sama zakonska rješenja, ali, prije svega, na određene praktične probleme kao što su: nepostojanje poticajnog okruženja za učestvovanje NVO-a u sudskim postupcima, nedostatak finansijskih i kadrovskih resursa i tehnički problem nepostojanja evidencija o pokrenutim postupcima.

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The Ombudsman in The System of Protection Against Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Situation Analysis and Characteristic Problems

The Ombudsman in The System of Protection Against Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Situation Analysis and Characteristic Problems

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: BiH; Ombudsman institution; human rights; discrimination; protection; situation analysis;

The Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines the Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a central institution for protection against discrimination. However, the existing anti-discrimination mechanism provided for in the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination is faced with a number of problems that affect the work of this Institution. The main structural problem relates to insufficient budget available to the Ombudsman of BiH, resulting in the lack of staff. Other problems derive from this circumstance, such as insufficient territorial coverage and accessibility of the Institution, as well as the lack of efficiency, specialisation and expertise in particular areas of discrimination. Moreover, the problems occur in the context of relationship between the courts and this Institution in cases of discrimination resulting from the lack of complementarity between the two. Thus, for example, courts may issue decisions contrary to the recommendations of the Ombudsman of BiH without providing reasoning for taking such action, which negatively affects the principle of legal certainty.

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The Ombudsman in The System of Protection Against Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Situation Analysis and Characteristic Problems

Ombudsmen u sistemu zaštite od diskriminacije u Bosni i Hercegovini: analiza situacije i karakteristični problemi

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: BiH; Ombudsman institution; human rights; discrimination; protection; situation analysis;

Zakon o zabrani diskriminacije (ZZD) definira Ombudsmena BiH kao centralnu instituciju za zaštitu od diskriminacije. Međutim, u aktuelnom mehanizmu zaštite od diskriminacije propisanom u ZZD-u, javlja se niz problema koji utječu na rad ove institucije. Glavni strukturalni problem se tiče nedovoljnih budžetskih sredstava kojima Ombudsmen BiH raspolaže, što rezultira i manjkom kadra. Takva situacija povlači i druge probleme kao što su nedovoljna teritorijalna rasprostranjenost i dostupnost institucije, te nedovoljna efikasnost, specijalizacija i eksperti za u pojedinim oblastima diskriminacije. Također, problemi se javljaju i u kontekstu odnosa sudova i ove institucije u predmeti ma diskriminacije, utoliko što između njih nije osigurana komplementarnost. Tako npr. sudovi bez posebnog obrazloženja mogu donijeti odluke protivno preporukama Ombudsmena, čime se olako dovodi u pitanje princip pravne sigurnosti .

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How to Reform The House of Peoples of The Parliamentary Assembly of BiH?

Kako reformirati dom naroda parlamentarne skupštine BiH? Izazovi izvršenja presude u predmetu Sejdić i Finci protiv BiH

Author(s): Nenad Stojanović,Edin Hodžić / Language(s): Bosnian

Keywords: BiH; parliamentary assembly; house of peoples; reform; minorities;

U reformiranju Doma naroda Parlamentarne skupštine BiH, u skladu s presudom Evropskog suda za ljudska prava u predmetu Sejdić i Finci protiv Bosne i Hercegovine, svakako se može slijediti ili model Doma naroda Parlamenta Federacije BiH ili Vijeća naroda Republike Srpske. Formula je naizgled jednostavna: ako je impertiv zadržavanje postojećih nadležnoti ovog tijela zakonodavne vlasti Bosne i Hercegovine, onda je nužno da on, poput Doma naroda Parlamenta Federacije BiH, bude otvoren i za delegate iz kategorije „ostalih”. Ako se, pak, želi zadržati njegova trenutna struktura i uloga doma konstuvnih naroda, onda je nužno reduciranje njegovih nadležnosti po modelu Vijeća naroda Republike Srpske. No, i u tim varijantama reforme prisutne su mnoge nedoumice, uključujući i pitanje izbora delegata iz svih konstitutivnih naroda u oba entiteta i problem izbora, pozicije i uloge delegata iz reda „ostalih“ u reformiranom Domu naroda Parlamentarne skupštine BiH.

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Public Access to Local Budgets: Making Local Government Budget Documents Easily Available to Citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Public Access to Local Budgets: Making Local Government Budget Documents Easily Available to Citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Author(s): Mirna Jusić / Language(s): English

Keywords: governance; government; budget; local budgets; access; budget documents; BiH;

Easy access to and the availability of budget documents is considered to be a key indicator of transparent budgeting practices. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), important budget documents at the local government level are frequently not easily available to citizens. Some documents that would facilitate understanding of budgetary matters among citizens – such as citizens budgets – are not produced at all. Such practice can contribute to citizen distrust and lower political participation, reflected in a lower voter turnout. Moreover, a lack of transparency can weaken oversight of local government performance. Although local government budgeting in BiH certainly needs to undergo substantial reform in the long run to achieve greater transparency, there are a number of smaller-scale reforms that policymakers in BiH can focus on to yield more accessible, more transparent budgets as a first step towards such reform.

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