Bosnia and Herzegovina - February 2025

On 4 March, the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), one of the country’s two federal entities, passed amendments to the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence. Introduced by the entity’s Justice Ministry, these amendments aim to enhance support for victims of domestic violence and violence against women by establishing a 24-hour SOS hotline that provides anonymous advice across FBiH. The amendments ensure that women are also protected outside of marriage, and that children who are present in the room during an act of violence are recognised as victims. Additionally, the changes tackle impunity for domestic and gender-based violence by granting police greater authority to intervene and detain suspects, as well as to monitor offenders with electronic bracelets. This allows police to track abusers who have been given a restraining order.  

Sources: OSCE, Balkan Insight, Sarajevo Times, Radio Slobodna Evropa  

On 26 February, the Parliament of Republika Srpska (RS), one of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)’s two federal entities, approved legislation rejecting BiH’s state-level justice and police authorities, barring them from exercising jurisdiction in the entity. The move followed the BiH state court’s sentencing of RS President Milorad Dodik to one year in prison, with a six-year ban on holding political office, the previous day. Dodik was convicted of undermining the central government’s authority and failing to comply with the decisions of the Office of the High Representative, the body responsible for overseeing the peace agreement that ended the Bosnian war. The law targets BiH’s state court, prosecutor’s office and police force, as well as the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (VSTV) responsible for appointing the country’s judges and prosecutors. Dodik dismissed the ruling and stepped up secessionist rhetoric at a rally in Banja Luka. Dodik was given two weeks to appeal the ruling. 

Sources: European Western Balkans, International IDEA, Balkan Insight, Novinite, Office of the High Representative, RS National Assembly 

On 27 February, the Republika Srpska (RS) Parliament approved the ‘foreign agent’ law in a vote boycotted by the opposition, and it was swiftly published in the official gazette. The law is nearly unchanged from the previous draft law  proposed in 2023 and later withdrawn in 2024. It, was re-introduced this month under an urgent procedure following the criminal conviction of RS President Milorad Dodik. It regulates the activities of NGOs receiving foreign funding, requiring them to register as ‘foreign agents’ and comply with strict reporting to the RS Justice Ministry. In case of a violation, the Ministry can issue an administrative fine, request the court to ban the NGO’s operations, or initiate criminal proceedings against the organisation’s management under the law. The legislation has been criticised by local NGOs citing concerns for the suppression of critical voices, as well as the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, who warned it could discourage organisations from advocacy. 

Sources: Klix, Article19, International IDEA, RFE/RL, Balkan Civil Society Development Network, Council of Europe, RS National Assembly