News and press releases

In a significant step towards gender equality and the elimination of violence against women, Presidents of Women’s Forums and representatives from 10 political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) have reached a consensus on the Principles for Political Engagement. The OSCE Mission to BiH facilitated this crucial meeting in Sarajevo, where the finalized text of these principles was agreed upon.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), in co-operation with the AIRE Centre and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS) Judicial and Prosecutorial Training Centres, organized a tailored training course on ethical standards and disciplinary practices for 40 judges and prosecutors on 29 May in Sarajevo.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) supports the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) conferences of chief prosecutors and of court presidents, organized in Teslić on 28 and 29 May.

A consistent application of intelligence-led policing (ILP) will ensure that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is well-equipped to effectively combat serious crime. To achieve this, the OSCE Mission to BiH organized a workshop in Mostar, gathering over 40 representatives from prosecutor’s offices, law enforcement agencies, and institutions across the country. The workshop, titled “Instituting and Facilitating Regular Inter-Agency Meetings and Briefings Between Agencies and Prosecution,” concluded today.

Sarajevo, 20 May 2024- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) calls upon the relevant authorities in Republika Srpska (RS) not to proceed with the adoption of the Law on Special Registry and Publicity of the Work of Non-Profit Organizations, commonly referred to as the “Foreign Agents’ Law”. If enacted, this law would gravely violate fundamental freedoms in a manner that directly contravenes the international obligations undertaken by Bosnia and Herzegovina, including as an OSCE participating State, and thus of the RS.

The BiH Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination aligns with international human rights standards; however, persistent inconsistencies in court practices remain, notably concerning the burden of proof. To ensure the uniform implementation of the law, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

SARAJEVO, 16 May 2024 – The Third Review Conference on the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence, held yesterday in Sarajevo and inaugurated by the OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, emphasized the need for harmonizing laws with international standards and ensuring their full implementation.