- The process of analysis and mapping of needs in the coming period is carried out continuously,
including planning of resources for implementation of the Roma Strategy and Action Plans in
Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Recommendation (83)
- A single institution of the Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina was set up
and is now running in its full capacity. Amendments were made to the Law on Human Rights
Ombudsman in order to improve the functioning of the institution in accordance with the Paris
Principles and the establishment of National Preventive Mechanisms, as suggested in the
concluding observations and recommendations of the UN Committee on the prohibition of torture
and other inhuman and degrading treatment of punishment.
Recommendation (84)
- The Law on Freedom of Religion and Legal Position of Churches and Religious Communities
in Bosnia and Herzegovina (from 2004) guarantees the right of every person to freedom of
religion or belief, freedom of acceptance and change of religion, and freedom – either alone or
jointly with others, in privacy or in public – in any way, to manifest his religion or belief, rituals,
adherence to religious regulations, respect for customs and other religious activities. Compared to
the pre-existing socialist legislation, there is a frequent use of the term ‘public’ observed, being a
place for expressing religion, thus abandoning the earlier understanding of religion as a ‘private
matter’, which in effect had limited the expression of religion to the private sphere of the
individual and premises of religious facilities.
In addition, the Law on Freedom of Religion prohibits discrimination based on religion or belief,
disrupting religious services or other religious activities, attacks and insults against religious
officials, attacks and damage to places of worship, and other religious properties, activities and
actions aimed at inciting religious hatred against any religious community or its members,
contempt or ridicule of any religion, as well as forcing a person to express religion or belief.
Freedom of religion or belief is protected under criminal laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the
context of the following crimes: violation of the equality of man and citizen, disruption or
prevention of religious ceremonies, or denial and limiting the freedom of religion and its practice
of the denial of the rights of religious groups to equality and exercise of religious ceremonies in
public and inciting national or ethnic, racial and religious hatred, discord or intolerance.
Census - Responses:
Recommendation (No. 85-86)
The Law on Census of Population, Households and Dwellings in BiH in 2013, and the
methodology for the preparation, organisation and conducting the 2013 Census of Population,
Households and Dwellings in BiH regulate the rights and obligations of all citizens of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. During the preparation of fieldwork and data processing, all provisions of the Law
were implemented relating to the protection and prevention of all forms of discrimination.
Respondents had the right and opportunity to provide any answer they desire to the question on
ethnic/national affiliation, including the expression of multiple affiliations. Enumerators were
required to register the exact answer that the respondent gave. Also, Article 12 of the Census Law
regulates that an individual is free not to declare own ethnic/national affiliation.
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