News
Lawyers in Bosnia and Herzegovina better equipped to represent and protect the rights of trafficking victims
Lawyers certified to represent cases before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as representatives of bar associations from across the country, took part in a training held in Buna on 20–21 May which will help them better support and represent victims of human trafficking in criminal...
Strengthening election reporting in the age of disinformation and AI
Strengthening professional, accurate and balanced reporting during elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina was the focus of a two-day training for media professionals dedicated to reporting on electoral processes. The training took place in Neum on 12-14 May 2026. Its aim was to support journalists...
Consent-based approach key to strengthening protection against sexual violence
The best prevention against sexual violence is a legal framework that incorporates the definition of rape based on the absence of freely given consent, supported by effective institutional measures to protect survivors and ensure access to justice. This was the key message of a conference held in...
Zavidovići youth stands against hate
“Young people will inherit the world and we are here to deliver change.” These are the words of Hana Marušić, a young person from Zavidovići who took part in a street action on 21 May 2026 promoting inclusion, solidarity and social cohesion. Organised under the slogan Zavidovići youth stands...
Developing tailored rehabilitation support for women and vulnerable violent extremist offenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Institutions and practitioners in Bosnia and Herzegovina are stepping up efforts to strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration approaches for women and vulnerable groups of violent extremist offenders, with a focus on developing more tailored and effective support measures. As part of these...
Council of Europe and BiH institutions reaffirm co-operation on combating violence against women
Advancing efforts to combat violence against women and further align domestic legislation with the Istanbul Convention were the focus of a series of meetings held on 19 May between representatives of the Council of Europe and key institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina responsible for human rights...
Civil servants from Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthen response to racism and discrimination
Thirty-one civil servants from Bosnia and Herzegovina completed a specialised training programme on combating racism and racial discrimination, strengthening their capacities to promote equality and build more inclusive public institutions. The closing gathering, held on 13 May in Tarčin, marked...
Supporting initiatives in Republika Srpska to align criminal legislation with Istanbul Convention
Efforts to strengthen the institutional response to sexual violence in Republika Srpska through a consent-based approach were advanced during a round-table discussion held in Banja Luka on 4 May. The discussion focused on ongoing initiatives to amend the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska in line...
Enhancing co-operation in combating money laundering and terrorist financing in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Strengthening the ability of institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to investigate and prosecute money laundering and terrorist financing was the focus of a workshop held in Tarčin on 27–28 April 2026. The workshop brought together representatives of financial intelligence unit, law enforcement...
Council of Europe empowers future women political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Twenty women from Bosnia and Herzegovina who plan to run in elections, or who have previously run but were not elected, completed the first Council of Europe Academy for Women Candidates, a unique training programme designed to strengthen women’s participation in political life. Through four...
Council of Europe and Central Election Commission discuss priorities ahead of General Elections
Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, Bojana Urumova, together with Belgian Ambassador to BiH, Christine Detaille, met with the President of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jovan Kalaba, as well as Commission members Irena Hadžiabdić and Suad Arnautović,...
Newly appointed judges and prosecutors advance skills in applying human rights standards
Thirty-seven newly appointed judges and prosecutors in Bosnia and Herzegovina have completed Council of Europe training on the application of the European Convention on Human Rights in domestic judicial practice. The training sessions, part of their mandatory induction programme, were held in...
“From trauma to testimony” - Regional dialogue on psychological support to victims of human trafficking
“From Trauma to Testimony: The Role of Psychological Support in Human Trafficking Cases” was the topic of a regional dialogue session on 28 April organised with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe. The online event brought together more than 60 experts and practitioners in...
Council of Europe launches new Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2026-2029
“Further reforms, including constitutional ones, remain essential”, says Secretary General Berset in Sarajevo
“Further reforms, including constitutional ones, remain essential so that Bosnia and Herzegovina and its people can reach their full potential,” said Alain Berset, Secretary General of the 46-member Council of Europe, during his official visit to the country on 27–28 April, where he met with...
Supporting mediation and alternative dispute resolution in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A series of meetings held in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Brčko on 27 and 28 April 2026 focused on assessing the current use of mediation and other alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in the judiciary of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Representatives of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial...
Call for expression of interest: New Project to Promote Inclusion in Bosnia and Herzegovina at local level
The Council of Europe is seeking four pioneer municipalities or cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina willing to work on making their local communities more inclusive, more resilient and better places to live by applying the Council of Europe’s intercultural inclusion approach. With the launch of the...
Courts in FBiH discuss further improvements to protection of the right to a fair trial
Ensuring the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was the focus of a round-table discussion for court presidents held in Sarajevo on 23 April 2026 with the support of the Council of Europe. Participants discussed the implementation of the Law...
Strengthening transparency and integrity in election-related public procurement in Bosnia and Herzegovina
16 staff members of the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina broadened their understanding of public procurement rules and procedures during a training programme in Neum on 21-23 April, organised by the Council of Europe. Participants discussed practical challenges related to...
Call for proposals: Supporting assistance to victims of trafficking in human beings
The Council of Europe is launching a call for proposals to support non-governmental organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina working to assist victims of trafficking in human beings. The call is part of the project “Strengthening Anti-Trafficking Responses in Bosnia and Herzegovina through...
Bihać residents and people on the move join forces for community clean-up ahead of Earth Day
In the run-up to Earth Day, residents and people on the move came together in Bihać to clean public spaces, turning a simple environmental action into a message of solidarity and inclusion. Organised on 19 April across several locations in the city, the clean-up brought together communities that...
Zmaja od Bosne 11 (RB buidling B)
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
+387 33 957 790
+387 33 590 447
