A roundtable was held in Banja Luka focused on initiatives to amend the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska, with the aim to enhance the institutional response to sexual violence through a consent-based approach. The event brought together key representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Interior, judiciary, prosecution and gender equality institutions within Republika Srpska. The roundtable was organised collaboratively between the Council of Europe and the Centre for Gender Equality and Equity of Republika Srpska, aimed at supporting ongoing efforts to align the legal and institutional framework with The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, also known as the Istanbul Convention.
Participants were presented with a framework on how to interpret sexual offences from the perspective of freely given consent, or lack thereof, which set the stage for subsequent discussions on the forms, prevalence, and consequences of sexual violence. Participants emphasised the impact on victims and addressed common misconceptions that hinder effective responses to sexual violence. The sessions also identified obstacles faced by judges and prosecutors in handling rape cases, particularly in relation to sentencing and prosecutorial approaches.
The round table provided a platform for open exchange among legal professionals and policymakers, highlighting the need for a victim-centred, gender-sensitive and coordinated response across the justice system. Participants identified key challenges and opportunities for strengthening institutional practices, including enhanced cooperation between courts, prosecutors and relevant institutions.
This activity is part of the Council of Europe project “Strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s responses to digital and sexual violence against women”, which continues to support national authorities in aligning legislation and practice with the Istanbul Convention and improving access to justice for victims of sexual violence.
