The Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Logo of the organisation

Full name in English

Full name in national languages

Institucija ombudsmena za ljudska prava Bosne i Hercegovine

Postal address

Akademika Jovana Surutke 13 78000 Banja Luka Bosnia & Herzegovina

Website

http://www.ombudsmen.gov.ba/Jezik.aspx

Email

bl.ombudsmen@ombudsmen.gov.ba

Social media

Telephone number

+387 51 303 992

Languages in which your institution can be contacted

English, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian

Head(s) of Equality body

Jasminka Dzumhur

Nives Jukić

Nevenko Vranješ

Person of contact for media enquiries

Ivona Ražnatović

iraznatovic@ombudsmen.gov.ba

Overview

Mandate

Institution

Overview

The Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman of BiH is independent institution dealing with protection of rights of natural persons and legal entities in accordance with the Constitution of BiH and international human rights instruments appended thereto.

Brief history

The basis for the work and functioning of BiH Ombudsmen are enshrined by Annexes IV and VI of the General Framework Agreement on Peace for Bosnia and Herzegovina concluded on 14 December 1995 and, based on mentioned documents, the institution has started to function in 1996.

According to Annex VI of the General Framework Agreement on Peace for Bosnia and Herzegovina, BiH Ombudsman and Human Rights Chamber constituted BiH Human Rights Commission which considered that democracy and human rights were factors for development of society, preconditions for establishment of structures and mechanisms of the State, leading to international integration. Currently, BiH Ombudsman functions on the basis of BiH Constitution and the Law on the Ombudsman which guaranties independency and infrastructural framework for protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

First Law on BiH Ombudsman was adopted in 2000. New Law was adopted in 2002 and then amended in 2004 and 2006. The Law defines powers and competencies of the Ombudsman. Rules of procedure in following up of the work of organs and institutions according to allegations contained in a complaint and ex officio, including other important issues related to functioning of this national human rights mechanism for protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Governing laws and regulations

Law on Ombudsmen of Bosnia and Herzegovina

2002

Law on prohibiotion of discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovin

2016

Mandate

Sectors covered

Private, Public

Legal standing before the courts

Intervention in support of a party, Amicus curiae brief or similar

Functions

Making recommendations on claims of discrimination [or other decisions on the merit that are not legally binding]
Undertaking ex-officio investigations
Organising training, advising and capacity-building activities for particular stakeholders on meeting their obligations
Organising awareness raising and communication activities
Advising government on the development, adoption and amendment of law and policy
Carrying out specialist research on equality and non-discrimination
Reporting to national and international bodies on discrimination issues
Networking with relevant entities in the country and internationally

Fields and grounds

Fields	Grounds
Education	Sexual Orientation, Gender, Gender Identity, Race and Ethnic Origin, Religion or Belief, Age, Disability, Health Status, Family Status, Social or Socio-economic Status, Other Grounds
Employment	Sexual Orientation, Gender, Gender Identity, Race and Ethnic Origin, Religion or Belief, Age, Disability, Health Status, Family Status, Social or Socio-economic Status, Other Grounds
Goods and Services	Sexual Orientation, Gender, Gender Identity, Race and Ethnic Origin, Religion or Belief, Age, Disability, Health Status, Family Status, Social or Socio-economic Status, Other Grounds
Housing	Sexual Orientation, Gender, Gender Identity, Race and Ethnic Origin, Religion or Belief, Age, Disability, Health Status, Family Status, Social or Socio-economic Status, Other Grounds
Other	Sexual Orientation, Gender, Gender Identity, Race and Ethnic Origin, Religion or Belief, Age, Disability, Health Status, Family Status, Social or Socio-economic Status, Other Grounds
Social Protection & Healthcare	Sexual Orientation, Gender, Gender Identity, Race and Ethnic Origin, Religion or Belief, Age, Disability, Health Status, Family Status, Social or Socio-economic Status, Other Grounds

Other mandates of the institution

Multi-mandate equality body

National human rights institution
Office of Ombudsman

Statistics

	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Number of cases handled	156	152	174	197	195	275	128
Number of inquiries
Number of litigation cases

Institution

Management and Appointments

Management

Single headed equality body (led by director or ombudsman/commissioner)

Regional or Local offices

4

Accountability

National Parliament

Number of staff

	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Number of staff members working on equality					3	3	3

Operating budget

	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Operating budget in euros [ACTUAL]	1305000	1256000	1278000	1420000	1377000	1316000	1316000
Operating budget in euros [ALLOCATED]	1305000	1256000	1278000	1420000	1377000	1316000	1316000
Operating budget in euros for the parts of the organisation dealing with equality issues (all types of functions) [ACTUAL]	1305000	1256000	1278000	1420000	1377000	1316000	1316000
Operating budget in euros for the parts of the organisation dealing with equality issues (all types of functions) [ALLOCATED]	1305000	1256000	1278000	1420000	1377000	1316000	1316000