CCPR/C/BIH/CO/1
page 5
Zenica Prison Forensic Psychiatric Annex and also at Sokolac Psychiatric Hospital. (arts. 7
and 10)
The State party should improve the material and hygienic conditions in
detention facilities, prisons and mental health institutions in both Entities and ensure
sufficient staffing levels, as well as regular exercise and out-of-cell activities for inmates,
and adequate treatment of mental health patients. It should transfer all patients from
Zenica Prison Forensic Psychiatric Annex and, to that end, ensure that Sokolac
Psychiatric Hospital meets international standards.
20.
The Committee notes with concern that, despite the return of housing units to their
pre-armed conflict owners and the allocation of significant funds to the reconstruction of
demolished housing units, many refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) have still
not returned to their pre-armed conflict places of residence or have left again after having
returned there. (art. 12)
The State party should increase its efforts to create the necessary conditions for
sustainable returns, i.e. by combating discrimination against minority returnees,
ensuring the social re-integration of returnees and their equal access to employment,
education, and social and public services, such as water and electricity, and by further
de-mining areas with significant returnee populations.
21.
The Committee is concerned about the poor conditions in collective centres housing
some 7,000 IDPs, many of whom belong to ethnic minority or other vulnerable groups. (arts.
17 and 26)
The State party should proceed with the phasing-out of collective centres for
IDPs and provide adequate alternative housing to the residents of such centres.
22.
The Committee is concerned about the frequent failure of health institutions to issue
birth certificates for Roma children whose parents have no health insurance or other means to
pay hospital fees, although this documentation is necessary for registering a child with the
public authorities and for the child’s access to basic rights such as health insurance and
education. (arts. 16 and 24(2))
The State party should remove administrative obstacles and fees in order to ensure that
all Roma are provided with personal documents, including birth certificates, which are
necessary for them to have access to health insurance, social security, education and
other basic rights.
23.
The Committee notes with concern that the State party intends to forcibly relocate the
inhabitants of the Roma settlement at Butmir, purportedly because it lacks the necessary
infrastructure to prevent pollution of the water supply, while no such relocation plan exists
for the non-Roma families living across the street. It also notes with concern that the
relocation plan reportedly lacks any detail as to the legal remedies and compensation
available to the Roma families concerned. (arts. 2, 17, 26)
The State party should reconsider the relocation plan for the Roma settlement at
Butmir, taking into account the residence entitlements of the inhabitants of the
settlement which has existed for 40 years, as well as alternative solutions to prevent
pollution of the water supply. The State party is reminded that any relocation must be
carried out in a non-discriminatory manner and must comply with international human