Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has reported hate crime data to ODIHR via the Ministry of Interior. There is no institutional system for recording and collecting hate crime data in the country. In co-operation with ODIHR and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the authorities of Republika Srpska have worked to improve hate crime recording and data collection through ODIHR's Information Against Hate Crimes Toolkit (INFAHCT) programme, including through a diagnostic workshop held in April 2022. Bosnia and Herzegovina has also co-operated with ODIHR and the OSCE Mission to train law enforcement officers and criminal justice professionals on hate crimes.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has launched a Gender Action Plan, 2023-2027. Hate crime prevention activities were included as part of the strategic implementation of the Action Plan.

SELECT YEAR

Download the 2013 hate crime report for Bosnia and Herzegovina

OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES

Year	Hate crimes recorded by police	Prosecuted	Sentenced
2023	54	10	8
2022	42	8	6
2021	45	7	4
2020	8	8	5
2019	21	13	9
2018	Not available	Not available	Not available
2017	Not available	Not available	Not available
2016	Not available	Not available	Not available
2015	24	12	3
2014	200	36	23
2013	350	77	88
2012	Not available	Not available	Not available
2011	Not available	Not available	Not available
2010	19	Not available	Not available
2009	15	Not available	Not available

About 2013 Data

Data includes incitement to hatred cases.

Hate crime recorded by police

National developments

In 2013, the Association of Prosecutors of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina published a "Guide for the Prosecution of Hate Crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina." The guide builds on OSCE/ODIHR training and publications and equips prosecutors with knowledge about hate crimes, hate crime laws and skills to prosecute hate crimes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

KEY OBSERVATION

ODIHR observes that Bosnia and Herzegovina has not reported on cases of hate crimes separately from cases of hate speech and/or discrimination.

Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See

Reports

Hate crime against Christians and members of other religions

The Holy See reported six cases of damage to church buildings. In five of these cases, windows were smashed, and in one case, which took place during Easter, the door to the church was set on fire. The Holy See also reported the desecration of a cemetery and a bomb threat to a Catholic school.

The Interreligious Council reported 13 incidents of the desecration of places of worship.

Anti-Semitic hate crime

The Interreligious Council reported one incident of the desecration of a cemetery in Tuzla.

Anti-Muslim hate crime

The Interreligious Council reported 16 attacks against property, including mosques, and against people, including Imams and those attending mosques.

Anti-LGBTI hate crime

Sarajevo Open Centre reported four physical assaults, including one resulting in serious injuries and three carried out by groups; one armed robbery; five threats; and one incident of graffiti.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) recommended that Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthen its application of existing criminal provisions on hate speech and hate crimes.