In a recent visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, called upon the authorities to prioritize the protection and empowerment of human rights defenders. Her remarks followed her comprehensive assessment of the current challenges these individuals face in the country, with particular focus on minority rights and transitional justice efforts.
During her visit, Lawlor highlighted the problematic narratives targeting human rights defenders and stressed the importance of accountability. Her statement emphasized the role of government in alleviating the stigmatization faced by these groups, thereby fostering an atmosphere conducive to freedom of expression and association. For additional details on her conclusions and recommendations, the full statement can be accessed here.
A significant point of concern raised by Lawlor is the Law on the Special Registry and Transparency of the Work of Non-profit Organizations in the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska, which, despite being annulled by BiH’s constitutional court, has prompted efforts to draft new legislation. The criticized law required non-profits receiving foreign funding to register with the Ministry of Justice and be labeled as “agents of foreign influence,” a move seen by many, including the European Center for Not-for-Profit Law, as undermining fundamental freedoms and potentially leading to widespread stigmatization.
Furthermore, the region’s political complexities remain unchanged since the Dayton Accords of 1995, which created the present federal framework of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The international community has consistently expressed concerns over setbacks to human rights progress and tensions within Republika Srpska, famously highlighted by the UNGA’s resolution recognizing the 1995 Srebrenica killings as genocide, met with denial by local leadership.
These developments signal a pressing need for continuity in international oversight and support to strengthen the protection of human rights in BiH. For a detailed exploration of these ongoing issues, you can read the thorough report by JURIST here.