HF II Bosnia and Herzegovina - Strenghtening Human Rights treatment of detained persons based on European standards and best practices

As part of the second phase of the European Union and Council of Europe programmatic framework “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey” (Horizontal Facility II), the Council of Europe implemented the Action “Strengthening human rights treatment of detained persons based on European standards and best practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina”. The Action was implemented in close partnership with the three Ministries of Justice, entity Ministries of Interior, as well as with the Ministry of Health of Republika Srpska (RS) and law enforcement agencies at different levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH): State (State Investigation and Protection Agency, Service for Foreigner Affairs, Border Police, Court Police), entity (Court Police) and Brcko District of BiH (Police, Court Police).

The objectives of the Action consisted of enhancing the human rights compliance of law enforcement agencies through application of the gained knowledge and skills in the everyday work of the law enforcement staff, as well as strengthening treatment of prisoners and of forensic patients/offenders through the application of specialised treatment programmes and case management system. The Action also supported the introduction of an Information Technologies System in pilot prisons with the aim of enhancing prisoner data exchange in electronic form.

This Action assisted the authorities in their efforts to comply with standards set in the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and to implement recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture – CPT.

The Action started on 24 May 2019 and was completed on 31 December 2022 with an overall budget of 1000 050 €.

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Back First local coordination forum on reintegration of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)

Council of Europe

The first local coordination forum on prevention of radicalisation in prisons, rehabilitation of VEPs and their reintegration back into the BiH society upon the release, took place in Doboj on 10 June 2021. The forum provided for wider discussion between all relevant stakeholders on their responsibility and actions to address this issue and the need to further enhance the cooperation between the relevant local agencies and organisations.

Twenty five participants representing prison facilities in Zenica and Doboj, social welfare centres, centres for mental health, Ministries of Interior, Ministries of justice, the office of the Regional Intelligence and Security Agency and the Regional Office of the Agency for Investigation and Protection took part in the discussion.

All participants agreed that multi-sectoral approach and a comprehensive risk and needs assessment were crucial in disengagement of VEPs from violence and instigation of their social integration upon release from prison. In the opinion of prison management and staff, development of individual treatment programs are imperative prerequisites for success, while only tailored reintegration plans, with the participation of the relevant local actors in the process, will ensure VEPs successful reintegration back into their communities.

The activity was organised by CSO Atlantic Initiative from Sarajevo in close cooperation with the BiH authorities, under the auspices of the grant agreement signed under the Regional Action „Enhancing penitentiary capacities in addressing radicalisation in prisons in the Western Balkans“, that is part of the joint European Union/Council of Europe programmme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey 2019 – 2022.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 15 June 2021