Mostar, December 1, 2025 – The Institution of Human Rights Ombudsmen of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), presented a Special Report addressing the manifestations, protection mechanisms and prevention of domestic violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Report examines the situation in the BiH Federation, the Republika Srpska and the Brčko District of BiH, and provides recommendations to enhance the legal and institutional framework to more effectively safeguard victims and prevent violence.
Data from the relevant Interior Ministries shows that hundreds of domestic violence cases have been reported over the past year and a half, with the vast majority of cases being classified as criminal offenses, which clearly shows the scale and severity of this problem.
“Domestic violence is not a private matter but a grave breach of human rights. Our Report shows that the number of reports filed remains high, yet many victims still hesitate to come forward. Institutions have a duty to provide swift, effective and comprehensive protection - in every municipality, in every entity and in the Brčko District”, said Nives Jukić, the Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina, speaking to the audience at today's event in Mostar.
The Report specifically highlights the impact of violence on children: numerous cases of neglect, emotional abuse and being raised in environments where violence is “normalized” have been recorded, which greatly influences children's school performance, mental health and development.
“Domestic violence devastates the lives of women, children and older persons - as well as the whole community. This Report provides a clear picture of where the system is functioning and where it falls short. The UNFPA will continue to support institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina in enhancing legislation, collecting data and developing services that are accessible, safe, and tailored to the needs of victims”, Samid Šarenkapić of the UNFPA said.
The Report highlights some major breakthroughs, particularly in the BiH Federation, where a new Law on Protection from Domestic Violence and Violence against Women was enacted. This law establishes a 24-hour SOS hotline across the Federation, provides more detailed regulations for the operation of safe houses and enhances the standards for victim protection. Additionally, amendments to the Federation's Criminal Code have introduced femicide as a separate criminal offense, carrying a sentence with a minimum term of ten years or a sentence of long-term imprisonment, clearly signaling a zero-tolerance stance toward gender-based killings of women.
The Report also highlights the necessity to further enhance the protection system in the Republika Srpska and the Brčko District of BiH, including more consistent implementation of the existing laws, better coordination among the police, Social Welfare Centers, the judiciary and the healthcare system, as well as securing sustainable financing for victim support services.
Following today's presentation in Mostar, the discussion on the findings and recommendations of the Special Report will continue at a roundtable with institutions and civil society organizations, which will take place in Banja Luka on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. The Report will also be presented in Tuzla on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
These events are part of the joint Gender Equality Accelerator (GEA) Programme, financially supported by the European Union (EU), Sweden and Denmark, and implemented by the UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in collaboration with BiH institutions. The Programme aims to strengthen gender equality and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
