Human Rights in BiH - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Human Rights in BiH
Of the 14 Key Reform Priorities, there are 5 priorities in the so-called Fundamental Reforms in the field of human rights. In cooperation with the authorities and civil society in BiH, the Netherlands helps in their attempts to develop a more equal and fair system for all citizens of BiH. Through the HR fund, we support initiatives through the prism of the priorities of the Netherlands in the field of human rights, which are: freedom of expression online and offline, freedom of religion and belief, equal rights for LGBTQI+ persons, human rights defenders and civic space, equal rights for women and girls, tackling impunity for the most serious crimes.
Project Sloboda Narodu
The aim of the project Sloboda Narodu is strengthening democracy and human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) through the promotion of freedom of speech and expression in the following areas: freedom of expression, internet freedom, freedom of religion and belief, human rights defenders, equal rights for LGBTQI+ persons.
Activities to be carried out such as conferences, panel discussions, podcasts, exhibitions, lectures, are aimed at promoting other fundamental freedoms - freedom of the press, religion or belief, the right to non-discrimination and equality, economic and social rights, minority rights, and the rights of the most vulnerable individuals and groups.
In the long term, this project focus is on human rights activists in situations where fundamental freedoms are most endangered: in this case, freedom of speech and expression, the right of citizens to be treated fairly with respect to all guaranteed rights.
Sarajevo Film Festival Special Program: Youth Activism and Human Rights
A part of Sarajevo Film Festival, the programme Human Rights Day has evolved into a concrete sustainable programme that stimulates creation of the next generation of the human rights activists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Western Balkans region, all connected through art and power of film. A selection of four short films that deal with different aspects of human rights issues across the world is being made in collaboration with Movies that Matter (MtM).
Human Rights Day is an umbrella event: several activities that foster promotion and advocacy of human rights, serving general audience, youth activists and film professionals are organized. The key programme is the HRD formatted as a film screening with a theme related to human rights, in the presence of the filmmakers and, if possible, the film’s subjects. There is also a five day workshop for youth (age 18 – 30) on various aspects of the human rights issues. The programme reflects the topics of the films presented in the Sarajevo Film Festival’s sections (mainly films selected in the Competition Section – Documentary Film, Focus and Dealing with the Past).
Reversing the Scales - Placing Human Rights of LGBTIQI+ on the Parliamentary Agenda
The aim of the project is to closely advocate and prepare MPs with relevant information regarding the rights of LGBTIQI+ society in BiH in order to establish legislative bodies that will be open and ready to take intoconsideration the discussions, acts and legislation that focus on necessary leaps forward when it comes to the lives of LGBTI people.
This will be achieved through a methodical approach that consists of assessing the needs and opinions of MPs, integrating old MP allies and bringing new ones into a future inter party group for LGBTQI+ issues, producing educational material and working directly with the MPs, improving cooperation between local MPs and Members of European Parliament and initiating transfer of knowledge and experience. Simultaneously, the project aims to politically empower the LGBTQI+ community by bridging the existing gap between them anddominating converative political narratives. It will also be a step in the direction of establishing the LGBTQI+ community as a real voting bloc whose interests and needs will be better heard by BiH politicians.
Woman Human Rights Defenders rights protected in practice and in policies
Accessing justice and understanding the functioning of laws due to the complexity of the legal system in BiH can be difficult for everyone. Due to gender inequality in society and justice systems, persistent economic and social inequalities, gender bias and gender stereotypes and the widespread violence against women, access to it is even more difficult for women.
Access to suitable and effective judicial remedies is critical to combating violence against women, one of the worst forms of discrimination against women and the most pronounced expression of unequal power relations between women and men that violate the human rights of women.
Therefore, this project aims to improve the position of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) through mutual cooperation between institutions and the non-governmental sector.
Specifically, this project:
- Provides direct support to institutions to understand and respond to violations of rights and freedoms of WHRD and
- Promotes these protection mechanisms to WHRD CSOs and raise their capacities to request protection
- Promotes the importance of WHRD and in direct communication with media outlets, provides reporters with good practices on how to report on violation or rights and freedoms of WHRD.
In the view of ensuring sustainability, supports the Agency for Gender Equality to mainstream WHRD in existing gender-specific policies (Gender Action Plan of BiH).