News
Professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina adressed technology-facilitated trafficking in human beings as a growing problem in the country
The criminal landscape of trafficking in human beings has significantly changed with the increasing availability of technology and generalised access to the Internet. Countries monitored by GRETA (Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings) have reported...
Training on legal reasoning of judgments: Well-reasoned judicial decisions are the key safeguard to the proper delivery of justice
Training on legal reasoning and legal writing of civil judgments took place in Banja Luka on 6-7 March 2024. A total of 25 judges and judicial assistants from first and second instance courts enhanced their drafting and analytical skills, actively contributing to upholding human rights and...
Federal Police Administration and the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs sign a Protocol on cooperation to combat human trafficking
To increase the outreach work of identification of victims and the investigation of instances of human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, the Federal Police Administration and the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs signed today, 22 March 2024, a cooperation Protocol....
Schools and pedagogical institutions working together on establishing resource centers for democratic school culture
The final joint capacity building session for representatives of pedagogical institutions and pilot schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) who are part of the first cycle of the development of resource centers for democratic school culture took place on 29 February 2024 in Banja Luka. The...
Enhancing efficiency and quality of justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina: pilot courts participating in workshop in Mostar
In an effort to enhance the efficiency and quality of justice in five action’s pilot courts, the joint European Union and Council of Europe action “Strengthening the efficiency and quality of justice in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIHSEJ)” piloted by the European Commission for the Efficiency of...
Safety of Journalists: Training for prosecutors and police officers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The prosecutors and police officers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina were designated points of contacts for the safety of journalists, as a mechanism to improve the systematic protection of journalists. In the training session organised in Sarajevo on 28 and 29 February, they have been...
Citizens' Assemblies in Banja Luka and Mostar spark local citizen participation
Citizens’ Assemblies in Banja Luka and Mostar concluded after three weekends of deliberations. Based on a tailored methodology designed to ensure transparency and inclusivity, Citizens’ Assemblies provided a platform for joint policy development and co-creative decision-making between local...
Ending labour trafficking and empowering its victims
The progress achieved so far in Bosnia and Herzegovina to prevent and combat labour trafficking was the focus of the round table organised by the Council of Europe. Measures to address vulnerabilities to labour trafficking as well as to investigate and remediate to labour trafficking were...
Second group of prison staff successfully completed training on management of violent extremist prisoners
The second group of prison staff from Bosnia and Herzegovina, coming from multidisciplinary teams working directly with violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) or inmates at risk of becoming radicalised, have completed all six modules of the new specialised in-house training programme, facilitated by...
Bosnia and Herzegovina to advance freedom of expression and information monitoring and reporting
The rights to freedom of expression and access to information are the cornerstones of democratic society. Representatives of institutions at the State, entity and Brčko District levels, independent bodies, as well as representatives of the civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are working to...
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Council of Ministers ensures its commitment to quality education for all
Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) continue to support the implementation of the Policy Recommendations with a Roadmap for Improving Inclusive Education developed jointly by relevant ministries at state level, entity ministries of education and 10 cantonal ministries of education in...
Call for Tenders for International Consultancy Services
Deadline for submission of tenders: 1 March 2024 Within the scope of the Project “Support to a coherent national implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights and facilitating execution of ECtHR judgments in Bosnia and Herzegovina” international short term consultancy services shall...
Call for Tenders for National Consultancy Services
Deadline for submission of tenders: 1 March 2024 Within the scope of the Project “Support to a coherent national implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights and facilitating execution of ECtHR judgments in Bosnia and Herzegovina” national short term consultancy services shall be...
Banja Luka joins the deliberative wave: first citizens’ assembly focusing on youth
On 03 February 2024, the City of Banja Luka launched its first Citizens’ Assembly – becoming the second local authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina to embark on a deliberative venture with the support of the Congress. The Assembly gathers 35 randomly selected citizens who will deliberate over three...
Council of Europe discusses the review and proposals to strengthen draft addenda and amendments to the Law on the Financing of Political Parties of Bosnia and Herzegovina
A workshop to present a comprehensive review of the draft addenda and amendments to the Law on Political Party Financing as set forth by the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina was organized on 30-31 January 2024 in Tarčin near Sarajevo. The review includes an analysis of the...
The power of inclusive and hate-free sports
Inclusive sports provide a platform where people can come together in a spirit of mutual respect, no matter their respective abilities, gender, ethnic or religious background, colour, sexual orientation, etc. By embracing diversity, sports challenges stereotypes and prejudices, fostering a...
Teachers and schools supported in building capacity for democratic school culture
66 primary and secondary teachers from nine pilot schools involved in the joint European Union/Council of Europe action “Quality education for all” in Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the second of a series of capacity building sessions strengthening teachers’ capacities and enabling...
Congress supports Mostar’s inspiring journey on the road of deliberative democracy
On 27 January 2024, the City of Mostar launched its second Citizens’ Assembly – an innovative and inclusive participatory process supported by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. The Assembly, commissioned for the first time by the city itself, gathers 40 randomly selected citizens...
Young European Ambassadors sending a loud and clear message from Budapest: Say NO to hatred!
More than 50 Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) got introduced to methods on how to effectively address hate speech and discrimination. This will enable the YEAs to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of equality and diversity, ultimately contributing to combating hate...
Congress supports local authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in fighting sexism
As part of its commitment to enhancing gender equality and fighting sexism against women candidates and local office holders, the Congress launched, on 18 January 2024, a practical Guide for women and men on preventing and combatting sexism in local politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina. More than...