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Story
11 August 2022
Support to first entrepreneurial steps contributes to the creation of more than 120 new businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Press Release
03 August 2022
“JUST IN CASE-BE PREPARED”
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Story
28 July 2022
Social and psychological consequences of sexual violence go beyond formal legal frameworks
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Latest
The Sustainable Development Goals in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. These are the goals the UN is working on in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
Story
24 October 2021
UN Festival #ZamisliPromijeni / #ImagineChange gathers almost a hundred participants and thousands of citizens
More environmental protection, life without conflicts, true respect for human rights, better perspectives and more employment opportunities – that is the future that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina imagine in 25 years from now.
By promoting culture, creativity and creation, innovation and entrepreneurship, equality but also diversity, heritage, art and ecology, the United Nations (UN) in Bosnia and Herzegovina marked its day with the #ImagineChange Festival at the Zemaljski muzej in Sarajevo. Twenty selected participants of the fair, youth bands, musicians, chefs, animators and poets – all partners of UN agencies, funds and programs in BiH, who are actively working on positive changes in their local communities and beyond, made a visit to the Zemaljski muzej an unforgettable and different experience for thousands of citizens. Participants of the #ImagineChange Festival came from different cities and municipalities all across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The partnership between the United Nations in BiH and the Zemaljski muzej provided free entrance to the Museum from October 21st to 24th, celebrating the UN Day. More importantly, it reminded citizens that the treasury of the Museum is safeguarding traces of the rich past and the cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, so they responded to the invitation to visit in large numbers.
”2021 was a challenging year for the world, including for so many of the people that the United Nations works with in Bosnia and Herzegovina. But through our work across BiH, we continue to see innovators, entrepreneurs, change makers, activists, and everyday people, working tirelessly to positively contribute to the development of their communities and the country. Some of these people and organizations - impressive change makers - joined us to celebrate the UN Day and showcase the many possibilities which exist across this country. They are the people who are paving the way towards gender equality and the empowerment of women; quality education; entrepreneurship and youth start-ups; climate action and environmental protection; healthy aging; food production and security and agricultural development, and much more. They are imagining change and making it happen. At this challenging time, when political rhetoric takes so much public space, it’s important to highlight the many positive voices and actions that happen every day, and to move past divisive narratives. We hope that they can be an inspiration to all”, said dr. Ingrid Macdonald, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in BiH.
This year's UN Day is marked under the slogan #ImagineChange in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which celebrates all those heroes and changemakers who are, step by step, initiating positive changes in their communities, but it also invites all of us to imagine and work on changes that are important to us.
Radomirka Alić, the founder of a small family business - Cafe Confectionery "Slatki zalogaj" Srebrenica was among the exhibitors. Great attendance and interest in Radomirka's stand marked the very beginning of the Festival.
"Participation in the Festival is a great honor and joy. I am positively surprised and I did not expect that there would be so many people, and that they would like our program so much, part of which we brought for tasting. I am happy to have had the opportunity to work with the United Nations through the ”Biz Up” program late last year. We started our business with two goals - the first is to provide a job, and the second is to create a place in Srebrenica where everyone can gather, where it doesn't matter who you are or what you are - a place that breaks down prejudices and stereotypes 365 days a year."
The moderation duo of the Festival were Haris Bilalović and Aida Vehabović - a seventeen-year-old girl from Kakanj, an award-winning actress who breaks down prejudices and who says:
“It is a great honour to be invited to co-host the United Nations birthday program and I am happy to write down in my memory book yet another striking event with the UN. My most important message is that young people should be given opportunities to stay here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, because we too can create and work like other countries if we make a change. The world remains with us young people, and if we start to change what doesn’t suit us, it will be a fantastic proof that we are doing well. From the sustainable development goals, I would single out education in the first place - education and practical work. Of course, everything depends on us young people and I hope that we will be able to make changes and that future generations will have more quality education."
United Nations agencies, funds and programs have promoted cooperation with people, companies, organizations and institutions throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, which they support in creating and implementing change in their communities, in cooperation with their international partners and donors.
The United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina is thankful to the UN agencies and partners: Nevid teatar, Muzička škola Banja Luka, AIESEC, Vjeko Kramer, youth bands Zelene oči, Krx, AMD and VuciBAtine who are working jointly in Srebrenica, Bratunac and Vlasenica, and also to Balkantina Sarajevo, SOR Narcis Posušje, Outdoor/Aquabalkan Konjic, NVO Genesis and UPSHIFT, the band Deminutiv, Healthy Aging Center Novo Sarajevo, coffee confectionery Slatki zalogaj Srebrenica, chocolate shop Bashka, BHWI Foundation, IOM Fashion Corner, Disaster Risk Reduction Program for Sustainable Development, IT Girls Initiative and all other participants of the Festival who have enriched the program and who imagine and change their environment for the better every day.
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Publication
01 June 2021
A Partnership for Sustainable Development: Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025
This Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CF), adopted by the BiH Council of Ministers at its 22nd Session on 16 December 2020 and reconfirmed by the BiH Presidency at its 114th Extraordinary Session on 5 March 2021, will guide the work of authorities in BiH and the UN system until 2025. This framework builds on the successes of our past cooperation and it represents a joint commitment to work in close partnership for results as defined in this Cooperation Framework that will help all people in BiH to live longer, healthier and more prosperous and secure lives.
This Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CF) describes four strategic priorities for joint work by 2025:
Sustainable, resilient and inclusive growth
Quality, accessible and inclusive education, health and social protection
People centered governance and rule of law
Citizen and community engagement for social cohesion
The authorities in BiH and the UN system have mutual accountability for the achievement of planned CF results. Based on their comparative advantages, UN system agencies will contribute policy advice, in accordance with international norms, standards, and best practices, and they will help to develop new capacities at all levels of government in BiH for the implementation and monitoring of strategies, policies and plans in BiH. Emphasis is placed on those strategies, policies and plans that align strongly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and targets as set forth in the emerging SDGs Framework in BiH.
This is our Partnership for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
See more on the official signing of the Cooperation Framework: https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/127284-partnership-sustainable-development
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Press Release
22 November 2021
It's youth time!
The waterfall in Jajce was illuminated in UN blue on 16 November, continuing the United Nations Day marking, and honoring all the activities that the United Nations is implementing in the field of sustainable development in cooperation with partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The blue water is a powerful message of peace and hope for a more prosperous future for everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The United Nations Day is marked on 24 October, and this year it was celebrated with the #ImagineChange campaign. The central part of the celebration was the first ever UN Festival held at the Zemaljski Muzej. The #ImagineChange mission was continued with the United Nations Secretary General's Envoy on Youth, Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, at the formal reception held last night in the City Hall in Sarajevo.
Reception was held with representatives of young people from all across BiH, as well as representatives of UN agencies, funds and programmes in BiH, embassies and missions - partner organizations of the United Nations in BiH. The special guest - the UN Secretary General's Envoy on Youth, Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in BiH, dr. Ingrid Macdonald talked with the Sarajevo Mayor, Ms. Benjamina Karić, as well as with representatives of young people from all over the country about the perspectives, opportunities and role of young people in BiH.
"We usually say that young people are leaders of the future, but in fact they are the leaders of today," said the United Nations Envoy on Youth Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake in her introductory speech.
"Young people who are trying to create opportunities for themselves in their communities cannot do it alone. And they should not do it alone. They should be expected to create solutions, and the United Nations, donors, local decision makers should create a conductive environment so that these young people can really live the change, and not just want it and perceive it. We at the UN are ready to work with young people and partners to ensure that every young person in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the world reaches its full potential."
Ms. Wickramanayake has been a youth development activist in her country since she was 13 years young, followed by engagements at the international level. As UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, she works to expand the United Nations engagement and advocacy activities across all pillars of UN's work - human rights, peace and security. Under her leadership and the leadership of her Office, the United Nations developed the first comprehensive system-wide Youth Strategy, and the High-level Steering Committe which she leads coordinates its implementation across all UN member states.
"The people we work with throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina inspire us to focus on positive change despite the difficult times and the pandemic, to see that change is possible and to strive for it. To aim high, because it's possible even under difficult circumstances. To aim high, because that's exactly what the people we work with do. The past two years have been crucial for the United Nations partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina - we have prepared and signed the five-year Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework with the Council of Ministers, confirming the commitment to work together - for the people, their environment and the prosperity of their communities," said dr.Ingrid Macdonald, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dr. Macdonald also thanked the United Nations staff, across 17 resident and non-resident agencies, funds and progarmms, who worked on aligning the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework with the different programs of the United Nations agencies. "All the areas we are committed to are important to us, but one of the most important areas is certainly working with young people," she added, referring to the month of August, during which young leaders took over the official social media accounts of United Nations agencies and programs, making sure that the voice of the country's youth is heard.
"I want a society in which we do not judge each other based on our skin color, accent, origin, social status. I want us to be a society of good and tolerant people. In order to create such a society, we must take responsibility for our future", said Aida Vehabović, a young actress and activist from Kakanj who, together with Haris Bilalović, moderated the event and the conversation between youth in BiH and UN representatives.
Haris and Aida reminded that the #ImagineChange Festival, which was visited by thousands of citizens, sent a message that it is time for better environmental protection, for life without conflicts, for true respect for human rights. It is time for better prospects and more employment opportunities and continuous work with the United Nations on these goals, together with partners and despite the pandemic.
United Nations programs and agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina within the #ImagineChange campaign promote cooperation with people, companies, organizations and institutions throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, supporting them in imagining and implementing positive change in their communities, in cooperation with their international partners and donors.
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Story
20 September 2021
Young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina know what kind of future they want to see
Bosnia and Herzegovina has all the natural and human resources to be a prosperous, fast-growing, leading ‘green’ country by 2045, for the benefit of everyone living in it. This was the underlining vision shared by the young people participating in the “Next 25 years in BiH” arts competition, whose winners were awarded in Sarajevo on 17th September.
The competition was organized by the United Nations’ Dialogue for the Future initiative and the OSCE Mission to BiH in June this year, building upon the “25 Years of Peace” competition for youth organized in December 2020.
Guided by the call for a Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, young people across BiH were asked to reflect on what a peaceful and prosperous future means to them and what should the next 25 years look like in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Winners were announced in three categories, with Ms. Nizama Husetic awarded for the best written piece, Ms. Azra Imamovic for an illustration and Ms. Ajla Berber for a video-presentation.
A conversation with young people participating in the competition followed, with dr. Ingrid Macdonald, the UN Resident Coordinator in BiH, Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, Mr. Sukhrob Khoshmukhamedov, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Siniša Šešum, Head of UNESCO Antenna Office in Sarajevo, and Ms. Sanja Kabil, UNICEF Head of Education Section.
“We know that many people are leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina every year. It is a serious problem: the country is rapidly losing its most valuable capital – its people. Yet, traveling across the country, meeting the young people today, reading their words, viewing their art – it gives us hope. It energizes us to redouble efforts to make their vision of a more prosperous, inclusive and fairer future a reality.”, said dr. Ingrid Macdonald, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in BiH.
“It is crucial that young people engage to help move BiH forward, to ensure change based on democratic values, and foster political and social stability. Such voices need to be amplified: this is just one reason why the OSCE Mission to BiH has supported this essay competition, together with our United Nations colleagues.” said Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH.
The overall competition winner, Ms. Nizama Husetic, outlined in her winning piece the potential that BiH holds in its industry, tourism, tradition and – people, which could enable its growth and implementation of Sustainable Development Goals: “Fortune favors the brave, and we have never been anything less than that. Society in which everyone is working in the sphere in which they are the best, to which they are dedicated, will never be a doomed society”.
The art works submitted for the two cycles of the competition show without doubt that young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina know what kind of future they want to see – one guided by the values of peace, mutual understanding, dignity and inclusion.
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Publication
17 June 2022
2021 UN Bosnia and Herzegovina Results Report
The 2021–2025 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), signed with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Council of Ministers in May 2021, outlines four strategic priorities with five outcomes for joint work by 2025:
Sustainable resilient and inclusive growth
Quality accessible and inclusive education, health and social protection
People centered governance and rule of law
Citizen and community engagement for social cohesion
In 2021, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Bosnia and Herzegovina made a notable contribution towards the convergence of economic growth and sustainable and inclusive development. This report highlights the key results achieved under the 4 pillars.
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Story
11 August 2022
Support to first entrepreneurial steps contributes to the creation of more than 120 new businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina
A consortium consisting of the German GIZ, UNDP and the ILO implemented a private sector development project, “EU4Business” in Bosnia and Herzegovina funded by the European Union and Germany. The ILO contribution focused on assistance to start-ups as a means to job creation. The four-year project recently came to an end – time to take stock of what the ILO achieved.
The key achievement of the ILO component was to support the establishment of 123 new businesses. The new enterprise created so far 145 new jobs. ILO’s most important inputs were entrepreneurship training, grants for the best business plans, and complementary mentorship. A few selected profiles of young start ups illustrate the talent of the start up scene in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
One of the new businesses supported through EU4Busines is Šapa Lab Furniture from Sarajevo, a new business specialized in producing accessories for pets established in 2020. “The idea for my business emerged during COVID19 when I had the time to design furniture and accessories for pets that would be something new on the market. Without this project and mentors who helped me, my idea would have never translated into a viable business plan”, said Alma Subašić, 28-year-old owner of Šapa Lab Furniture.
“The moment I learnt that I received a grant and technical support, I knew there was no going back. We had to turn this idea into reality.” Alma’s new business started well and currently engages five associates: product designer, carpenters, and tailors.
Aleksandar Kovač, a student at the Faculty of Medicine in Banja Luka, is also among the beneficiaries of EU4Business. Combining his area of education and opportunities for new online services, Aleksandar launched the online platform “e-Clinic”.
“The platform simplifies the way patients book appointments and provides all relevant information in one place, as well as makes easier record keeping”, said Aleksandar. Being at it’s very beginning, E-Clinic platform is currently used by eight health institutions who pay monthly fee, making it free of charge for patients. Aleksandar plans to expand number of end users by introducing Android and iOS versions of the platform in 2023. “For me, the EU4Business project and ILO’s support was a turning point in terms of entrepreneurship. With top mentors, I have learned the key requirements to keep a business afloat and successful”, he pointed out.
The success of the EU4Business project is even greater considering the challenges that businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina faced during the pandemic. “I would like to remind that all our beneficiaries have started their businesses in a very unfavorable socio-economic situation, in 2020 when the world was hit by the COVID19 pandemic, and yet they have not only survived but have continued to grow and create jobs. Today, many of them are not only self-employed, but are employers creating job opportunities for others”, said Lejla Tanović, National Coordinator of the ILO in BiH.
About the project:
EU4Business is EUR 16,1 million worth project supported by the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany and jointly implemented by GIZ, ILO and UNDP from 2018 to 2022. The project aimed to strengthen the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and advance perspectives for stronger exports and new employment. In total, more than 900 new jobs were created through this project.
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Story
28 July 2022
VISUS Methodology for Comprehensive School Safety and Disaster Risk Reduction in Bosnia And Herzegovina
As part of the Joint Swiss UN Programme “Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina” and the “Comprehensive School Safety” model, UNESCO, through its Antenna in Sarajevo of the Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, is promoting and facilitating the application of the ‘Visual Inspection for defining Safety Upgrading Strategies’ (VISUS). The project outlines a methodology for the multi-hazard safety assessment of schools, fundamentally aiming to improve institutional capacities, frameworks, public services and partnerships at the local government level in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following the targets of the SDGs, VISUS intends to make populations in risk-exposed localities less socially and economically vulnerable to the effects of disasters and climate change.
The socio-economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina is detrimentally impacted by the population’s high vulnerability to natural hazards, which itself is further inhibited by the country’s institutional and governmental lack of technical, organisational and financial capacity. This vulnerability extends to various sections of the local community, and notably to schools. VISUS aims to address this growing concern, by strengthening local coordination mechanisms for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and reaffirming the strategic risk prevention planning process through cost and time effective assessments of learning facilities.
The implementation of this project is expected to prevent the negative effects of disasters and climate change on educational facilities. Furthermore, in line with SDGs 4 and 11, quality education and sustainable cities and communities, the project will enhance holistic disaster risk governance and quality of life improvements in at-risk municipalities, materialising as reductions in socio-economic vulnerabilities of citizens and institutions.
VISUS is a priority-based methodology for conducting Visual Inspections for the definition of Safety Upgrading Strategies, defined by SPRINT-Lab researchers and adopted by UNESCO for the safety assessments of learning facilities worldwide. In practice, this involves identifying and selecting the most critical sites to be assessed first. The methodology provides decision makers with the tools and information they need to make science-backed decisions, relating to where and how to implement available resources for improving school safety. The methodology underlines the process to carry out these procedures whilst ensuring cost and time effectiveness.
Following successful pilot tests in 7 countries (Italy, El Salvador, Laos PDR, Indonesia, Peru, and Haiti and Mozambique), the methodology is being implemented for safety assessments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in close cooperation with Universities in Sarajevo and Banja Luka. The application of VISUS will enable the identification of necessary upgrades, considering multi-hazard perspectives, to the safety measures of 40 schools in 10 project communities across the country. These assessments will widely enhance the educational institutions, but more specifically, benefit students, teachers and other school staff members, by establishing a safer working and studying environment.
„With the implementation of VISUS, UNESCO assesses the safety conditions of schools considering Earth-, Water-, Air-, Fire-, Ordinary use-related hazards. The methodology facilitates a technical triage based on visual inspection, the results of which can be directly used for defining comprehensive safety upgrading strategies for school facilities.“
Petra Malisan, Researcher at UNESCO-Chair on Intersectoral Safety for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience
The VISUS methodology has been developed through the collaboration of VISUS researchers and local experts, such as university professors, technical staff and UNESCO representatives. The involved professors, acting as BiH VISUS Survey Coordinators, are trained by SPRINT-Lab researchers to conduct surveys in schools and gather data for the methodology’s results. The main targets of VISUS are to assist decision makers (e.g. educational authorities) to determine which schools require priority intervention, what type of intervention is required, the cost of required intervention, and which upgrades are most feasible based on available resources. Notably, in line with SDG 4, the main beneficiaries of VISUS will include students and teachers, as the project aims to improve school facility safety and accessibility. Fundamentally, the VISUS methodology will suggest enhancements that will promote a conducive environment for learning and growth.
„We, at UNESCO, prioritize strengthening and supporting the educational institutions which drive our contribution to the project in engaging and empowering educational partners. For this reason, UNESCO is closely collaborating with local stakeholders, experts and relevant authorities to undertake the assessments for the necessary and sufficient DRR preparedness“
Sinisa Sesum, Head of Antenna in Sarajevo, UNESCO Regional Bureau
The “Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina” is a joint initiative supported and financed by the Government of Switzerland and the United Nations. The collaborative project is being jointly implemented by the UN agencies: UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNFPA and FAO, in collaboration with authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Story
28 July 2022
Social and psychological consequences of sexual violence go beyond formal legal frameworks
The purpose of the study “Criminal law protection, legal and social status of survivors of sexual violence in BiH” is to shed a light on the status of sexual violence survivors in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Study analyses the legal framework, court verdicts and public attitudes in a comprehensive overview of different social actions and policies available for protection of women and girls who are statistically most vulnerable to violence. We spoke to one of the study authors, Ms. Ivanka Marković, professor at the Law School in Banja Luka, about the nature of court decisions in sexual violence cases in BiH.
The Study was developed within the project “Break the Silence” which was jointly implemented by Foundation Lara from Bijeljina and Foundation for Local Democracy from Sarajevo, together with UN Women BiH and with the financial support of Sweden.
Within the study “Criminal law protection, legal and social status of survivors of sexual violence in BiH” you analysed 22 court decisions on sexual violence cases in BiH. To begin with, how much are court decisions in this field analysed and criticized in general, and how can this contribute to changes and improvements in the area?
Court decisions in the field of sexual violence are most often analysed in certain expert and scientific works or projects dealing with this issue, in order to find the best solutions in terms of the relevant legislation and jurisprudence. The publication of results of the quantitative and qualitative analysis of verdicts is of utmost importance, as a way to inform the public about the positions established in the case law related to these cases. On the other hand, members of the judicial community have the opportunity to see other courts’ verdicts, which can also influence their attitudes and the application of the law. Let me note that the verdicts in sexual violence cases have lately often been subjected to analysis and well-substantiated critique.
While analysing the verdicts, you observed that all survivors had known the perpetrators before the act, and in most cases maintained social contacts and relationships with them. Does that imply that abuse often happens in situations where a woman should feel the safest - in her home and in known and intimate settings?
In the majority of cases the perpetrator and the survivor knew each other, and in a significant number of cases they were also in some kind of a familial relationship. This is particularly prominent in cases of sexual violence against children, which implies that people we trust most often pose the highest risk of sexual violence. I believe I can state with certainty that a woman’s family, her home, and community in which she lives are the least safe for her. That is exactly where all forms of violence against women, including femicides, take place in most cases – in their families and amidst close friends.
One of the conclusions of the analysis is that judges and court panels often appear to take the perpetrator’s side, which is demonstrated by the lack of information on the survivors, while positive character traits and extenuating circumstances of perpetrators are regularly listed in verdicts. In your opinion, what information on survivors should be considered in the process of deliberation on a court decision?
It is correct that not much can be derived from the verdicts about the survivor. I analysed a verdict which contained no information on the age of the survivor, her family status, psychological trauma she suffered, etc., while all information on the perpetrator was duly provided. I find such an approach wrong, because the court is not able to mete out an adequate sentence in such circumstances. In my opinion, to decide on an appropriate sanction, the court should consider all facts and circumstances in relation to the survivor, as it already does in relation to the perpetrator. Thus, if the court takes into consideration that the perpetrator is a father of two, it should also consider that the survivor is a mother of two for example, because the secondary victimisation affects the children as well. We are still a patriarchal society which continues to stigmatize rape survivors, and the stigma indirectly affects the children too. If the survivor is employed, the stigma spreads to the working environment, which further exacerbates the psychological trauma of rape, etc. The legal consequence of the criminal offence of rape is a violation of sexual integrity. However, social, and psychological consequences of this offence exceed the formal legal framework. Accordingly, the court should have this in mind when sentencing the perpetrator.
To what degree are the sanctions imposed in the analysed verdicts proportionate to the gravity of the offence and how efficient are the proceedings? Do they meet the standards of the Istanbul Convention regarding the urgency of proceedings in cases of gender-based violence?
Even though the Istanbul Convention is binding, the law does not provide for an obligation of urgent action in cases of sexual violence. The analysis of court verdicts has shown that court proceedings were unjustifiably long in some instances, which added to the survivor’s victimisation. The lapse of time brings a relative psychological calm to the survivor, so that every subsequent encounter with the perpetrator triggers the survivor’s trauma. In terms of sentencing, we have seen mild progress over the recent years. The verdicts impose somewhat longer prison sentences than before. The reason for this lies in the change of the judicial community’s attitude towards this type of crime, and the fact that the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska excluded the possibility of leniency in cases of rape, sexual intercourse with a helpless person and sexual intercourse with a child under 15. Generally speaking, however, sanctions for sexual violence remain just above the mandatory minimum sentence, which is not a proper deterrence for potential perpetrators of these offences.
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Story
13 July 2022
Religious leaders standing up to violence against women
Because of the local community's trust and daily communication with citizens, religious leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina can contribute significantly to the fight against various forms of violence. This has been confirmed by a project aimed at the prevention of violence against women and peer violence, which is being implemented for the sixth year by the Institute for Population and Development in Sarajevo (IPD) and the Center for Peacebuilding in Sanski Most, with financial support from Sweden and in cooperation with UN Women Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The time for daily and weekly prayers, religious classes in schools, as well as religious gatherings, can become an important space to strengthen the community's resistance to violent behavior. In order to achieve this, religious leaders can acquire the necessary knowledge to recognize domestic and peer violence. The IPD and the Peacebuilding Center have been working since 2016 to develop educational and advocacy programs for imams, Orthodox and Catholic priests and teachers of religious education. The project "Community involvement in reducing gender stereotypes and eliminating violence against women and girls" gathered more than 60 religious leaders who have already gone through the education program, and in the new phase they will be joined by about 20 representatives of local interreligious committees from all over BiH.
All of them will acquire knowledge through the program about different types of violence, existing institutions that provide assistance to survivors, and become empowered to transfer their knowledge to other religious leaders, as well as members of their religious communities. This is important because they are often the first citizens turn to when they have a problem, including domestic violence, as explained by Vahidin Omanović, manager of the Peacebuilding Center. The imams and priests involved in the project used to feel helpless in situations where women who were exposed to domestic violence would turn to them for help.
“Now they tell us they know where to direct the victim, and they don't feel helpless. They empower a woman so she can anonymously call the SOS phone, so she can contact the police, the social services center, or the mental health center. Now they know what the procedures are, and, for the most part, they advise victims to turn to state institutions that are responsible for fighting violence," Omanović said.
Last year, religious leaders, along with educators, developed manuals for prevention and response to violence. The manuals provide a number of recommendations on how to make prevention of violence an indispensable topics in various areas of religious activity, such as lectures in places of worship or in religious school classes. Thus, for example, it is planned in the future to revise the existing curriculum for religious education and to further strengthen teachers to contribute to prevention and adequate response to violence. It is also planned for the Interreligious Council of BiH toadopt and recommend these operating manuals. The manuals also highlight the importance of cooperation between religious communities and other organisations and institutions.
"Models which are almost identical have been defined through all three frameworks for prevention and response to violence, for the Orthodox and Catholic churches and the Islamic community. They imply cooperation with multisectoral teams, health ministries, social work centers, safe houses and associations that coordinate their work, organizations involved in prevention, the media, etc.”, explained Feđa Mehmedović, IPD program manager.
The author of the manual is Selmir Hurić, who works in one of the Islamic religious community majlises from Sanski Most. At the current stage of the project he encourages new leaders to commit to advocacy for a society free from violence through their work. Hurić has been working as an imam for 23 years, and he did not hesitate to join the project when he received an invitation from the Peacebuilding Center.
“I had no doubt about this. I have always been open about this topic and I know that every religion will say this and help with any form of violence," says Hurić.
Due to the nature of his work, he available to the citizens of Sanski Most on a daily basis. He is used to their calls at any time of the day and shares with them the happy moments such as birth of a child or marriage, but also tragic losses. He's used to being trusted with their hardships in life and being asked for advice, and sometimes the problem is domestic violence. He pointed out that it was particularly important for him to learn how to recognize different forms of violence in the process of learning about this topic.
All interlocutors agreed that, because of the trust that religious citizens place in the religious communities in BiH and their prevalence, they can make an important contribution to preventing and responding to violence. So far, however, their role has not been sufficiently recognized, and they hope that this will soon change.
“Maybe we're not competent sometimes, maybe we don't have ways to help, but we are learning. I believe that religious communities have the capacity to be at disposal and help organizations that deal with these things concretely," Hurić concluded.
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Story
27 June 2022
ILO makes history with the adoption of resolutions on occupational safety and health, apprenticeships, and the social and solidarity economy
Occupational safety and health, apprenticeships, and the social and solidarity economy were among the items discussed on the 110th Session of The International Labour Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILC) that was held from 27 May to 11 June 2022.
The results of the discussions were adopted in form of International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) resolutions providing important guidance for the world of work and aiming to improve lives of millions of workers across the world.
“The 110th International Labour Conference had made history with its work on safety and health, apprenticeships, and labour standards, among other areas” said ILO Director-General, Mr. Guy Ryder speaking to more than 4,000 delegates representing Governments, Workers’ and Employers’ Organizations from 178 ILO Member States.
Summary of resolutions
A safe and healthy working environment. Protection of workers against occupational injuries and diseases is an integral part of decent work. The COVID-19 pandemic which has had a profound and transformative impact on the world of work, has reiterated the importance of occupational safety and health, while the country responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have shown the importance of an effective collaboration between social partners in preventing occupational accidents and diseases, as said in the 2022 ILO Report published on World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
This year, the ILC declared that safe and healthy working conditions are fundamental to decent work and subsequently adopted the Resolution on the inclusion of a safe and healthy working environment in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work. This means that the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) and the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) are considered as fundamental Conventions within the meaning of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998), as amended in 2022. Bosnia and Herzegovina ratified both Conventions.
The link to the Resolution is available here.
Quality Apprenticeships. Unemployment and underemployment rates continue to be high globally; inequality persists; and rapid transformations in the world of work exacerbate skills mismatches and skills shortages, requiring people of all ages to reskill and upskill continuously. The promotion and development of quality apprenticeships can lead to decent work, contribute to effective and efficient responses to current challenges and provide lifelong learning opportunities to enhance productivity, resilience, transitions and employability and meet current and future needs of apprentices, employers and the labour market. In this respect, the ILC adopted the Resolution related to the development of a new ILO Recommendation on Quality Apprenticeships which is expected to provide guidance on promoting apprenticeships and providing adequate protection to apprentices, including a definition of apprenticeships, a regulatory framework, and equality and diversity issues. Members should incorporate and promote quality apprenticeships within their relevant education, vocational training, and employment policies.
The link to the Resolution is available here.
The social and solidarity economy. Although the social and solidarity economy (SSE) is not new, its policy importance and visibility have grown significantly since the beginning of this century and the ILO has led the promotion of the SSE within the United Nations (UN) system, including through standards-related action. A number of ILO documents: The Promotion of Cooperatives Recommendation, 2002 (No. 193), the Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015 (No. 204) and the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205) acknowledge the contribution of the SSE to poverty reduction, to inclusive societies, to the transition from the informal to the formal economy, to enabling recovery and to building resilience.
In this respect the ILC adopted the Resolution concerning decent work and the social and solidarity economy which sets a number of the obligations for Members, just to mention few such as: to establish a conducive environment consistent with the nature and diversity of the SSE; treat SSE entities on terms no less favourable than those accorded to other forms of enterprise, in line with ILO Recommendation No. 193; enact policies that foster the creation of quality jobs for all, including in the SSE; and recognize their role in the transition from the informal to the formal economy.
The link to the Resolution is available here.
ILC, often called an international parliament of labour, meets once a year and establishes and adopts international labour standards, and is a forum for discussion of key social and labour questions.
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Press Release
03 August 2022
“JUST IN CASE-BE PREPARED”
The Joint Swiss - United Nations Programme “Disaster Risk Reduction for Sustainable Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina” is implementing a campaign on the importance to understand disaster risks and on the steps towards prevention and preparedness for the purpose of raising citizen awareness about their role in strengthening communities through a faster and better response to a disaster.
The “Just In Case-Be Prepared” campaign puts an emphasis on care for vulnerable and high risk population groups in BiH, such as persons with disabilities, children, women, including pregnant women, migrants and socially vulnerable groups, as well as on the importance of educating children and youth about disasters and strengthening local communities by preparing them for emergencies and response, with a focus on developing clear guidelines and making them accessible, and on improving coordination and management.
The campaign also spotlights strong effects of climate change on an increase in frequency, unpredictability and intensity of floods, droughts, heat waves and fires, which have a negative impact on livelihoods.
The economic losses caused by disasters in BiH are enormous. Devastating floods affect over 100,000 people and cause a loss of around one billion BAM in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually, according to the World Bank report “Emergency Preparedness and Response Assessment: Bosnia and Herzegovina”. In order to avoid and/or reduce losses in the future, new approaches are required through transformation of the existing management structures and raising awareness by developing societies' understanding of the risks and how they are managed.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a signatory country, is implementing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the aim of which is to strengthen disaster risk management at the national, regional and global levels. The Joint Programme, which is supported and funded by the Swiss Government and the United Nations (UN) in the amount of BAM 7.1 million, is introducing systemic solutions which will ensure the achievement of the Sendai Framework’s key DRR priorities at the local level in cooperation with representatives of the following sectors: protection and rescue, education, social and child protection, health and agriculture, in accordance with the needs of the BiH citizens and the challenges they are facing.
The following UN agencies are responsible for the implementation of the Joint Programme in BiH: the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in partnership with local authorities and relevant implementing partners from the governmental and non-governmental sectors.
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Press Release
21 July 2022
The United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina Commends the Adoption of a New Law on Civilian Victims of War by the Brcko District Assembly
The United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina commends the adoption of a new Law on civilian victims of war by the Brcko District Assembly, last Friday. The Law ensures that civilian victims war receive comprehensive reparations and support, covering all categories of civilian victims, including survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Moreover, this Law specifically recognizes children conceived of conflict-related sexual violence. This is a first in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With rampant cases of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) recorded across the globe, the experiences of Bosnia and Herzegovina offer painful but valuable lessons on how to protect survivors, ensure their dignity and transform the legacy of pain and trauma.
The United Nations in BiH calls upon entity authorities in BiH to follow the example of Brcko District and to amend existing entity-level Laws on Civilian Victims of War to also recognize children conceived of conflict-related sexual violence.
BiH authorities at both State and Entity level and Brcko District level worked closely with UN agencies, UNFPA, IOM, UN Women and UNDP over the past decade within the UN Joint Programme on conflict-related sexual violence, aimed at seeking, care, justice and support for survivors. This Programme was championed by the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and funded by the Government of the United Kingdom, UN Action against Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Government of Canada.
The UN remains committed to empowerment of youth, protection of survivors of violence and transformation of the legacy of pain and trauma while supporting the BIH authorities in ensuring access to justice, care, empowerment, and ultimately reparations for CRSV survivors.
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Press Release
27 June 2022
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet concludes her official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (21-24 June 2022)
Good afternoon to you all and thank you for coming.
Let me first express my sincere gratitude to the Government for hosting my official visit. We have been following the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina very closely. This visit has provided an important opportunity to discuss an array of human rights issues, and challenges, that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with its institutions, civil society and other actors, have been grappling with for nearly three decades.
This has been the first visit by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since Mary Robinson’s trip here in 1998. Some of the same human rights challenges persist today. The scars from the 1992-95 conflict are deep. The memories are still painful. But after my visit, I am convinced that there is a will and determination among many to achieve a society where all citizens, across the country, can enjoy peace and be treated equally, with respect and dignity.
During my time in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I met with the chair of the Presidency, Sefik Dzaferovic, the Minister for Human Rights and Refugees, parliamentarians, the Human Rights Ombudsmen Institution, members of the Constitutional Court, the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council, and the State Prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I met with the High Representative and other representatives of the international community. I also met with families of victims of the conflict and various civil society actors working on issues ranging from peacebuilding, reconciliation, transitional justice, anti-corruption, the rights of women, people with disabilities, LGBTI and migrants.
Most of the people I have met have expressed concerned about persistent discrimination based on various grounds, primarily based on ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. This affects civil and political rights, including electoral rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights. From a divided, segregated education system, to access to employment linked to political affiliation, patronage or loyalty, to unequal social protection depending on the place where ones resides, to marginalization still faced by many people who returned to their place of origin after the conflict, Roma communities, and people with disabilities. Bosnia and Herzegovina has legislation prohibiting discrimination and it is essential that it is applied across the country and by all institutions so that all forms of discrimination are effectively eliminated. The active engagement of political leaders in building an inclusive society is essential for its future.
During my visit, I met with some spirited and courageous civil society actors who highlighted some of the difficulties they face in doing their work, concerns about protection of civic space, including online and offline threats faced by journalists who investigate corruption or challenge the dominant political narratives. There is real concern for the youth, particularly as the fragmented education system, with different curricular and textbooks, has entrenched divisions and distrust among communities. Children should not be forced to travel long distances out of fear that their local school is unwelcoming and unsafe. Education is for all, and children must not become political pawns.
One of the most moving experiences during the four-day mission was my visit to the Srebrenica-Potocari Memorial complex where some 8,000 men and boys fell victim to the crime of genocide. There I paid homage to the victims, survivors and families of those killed, and met with a mother who shared her story of losing her husband and 16-year-old son. Her husband’s remains were recovered from a mass grave, but her young son is still missing. She told me she lives with the pain every single day, but she will never give up hope of one day finding his remains and finally laying him to rest next to his father. She told me of the determination of the Srebrenica mothers to continue their fight to ensure the genocide will never be forgotten. We both shed tears. I share her hope that one day she will find her son’s remains, and, that we must never forget the tragedy of Srebrenica. Today, some 7,000 people who were disappeared during the war are still unaccounted for as a result of the large scale atrocities committed across the country.
Some of the main architects responsible for the war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, have been tried and now face spending the rest of their lives in a jail cell. But many perpetrators, including those accused of sexual violence, still remain unpunished and are walking free in Bosnia and Herzegovina or other countries. It is my hope that justice will be served on them too. With the passage of time, some may never be identified, and therefore it remains vitally important to vigorously pursue domestic criminal prosecutions, for all crimes committed during the conflict; that those found guilty are duly sentenced. It is important that countries in the region step up their cooperation in this regard.
Individual accountability through independent justice mechanisms is fundamental to avoiding and overcoming collective guilt. This is why war crimes trials are so important as elements of truth-seeking and to foster reconciliation.
It is only when a country has fully come to terms with its past that it can move forward. I am a medical doctor, and over the past few days in my discussions here I have used the metaphor “that a wound can only heal once it has been cleaned, and cleaned thoroughly”. I have been assured that prosecutors are continuing their search for war criminals, for missing persons, and I have urged them to carry on in their pursuit of accountability in a manner consistent with applicable international standards.
Little progress has been made in the area of reparations for all victims of atrocities. A key element of the healing process is to ensure that the victims and the families of the victims are provided remedies. There has been no comprehensive programme for civilian victims of torture, including former camp detainees and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, and for families of missing persons. Reparations have been insufficient. I was informed about cases where perpetrators are obliged to provide compensation but they do not as they do not have any assets or hide them. Thus, a reparation scheme is necessary and new legislation is needed. A fund should be established to provide compensation for victims. Similarly, the fund for the families of missing persons should be created.
I am particularly concerned to hear that courts across Bosnia and Herzegovina have denied wartime survivors’ claims for compensation by imposing statutes of limitations. Some of those who have sought justice have had to pay exorbitant court fees if their civil claims fail, which has resulted in a situation in which victims are punished financially and re-traumatised for seeking justice. This practice must be urgently ended.
It is the responsibility of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure accountability for past crimes, to provide reparation for survivors and families of all victims, and to lead and support healing and reconciliation. It is also the responsibility to counter denial of atrocity crimes and glorification of war criminals. I note that this week, the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina sentenced three individuals for incitement to hatred for singing songs threatening violence in 2019 in Visegrad and understand this is an unprecedented ruling.
There is no place for hate speech on any grounds. As Bosnia and Herzegovina readies for the election in October, I encourage all politicians to turn the page on rhetoric and policies of division, to focus on promoting the rights of everyone across the country, and to build an inclusive and democratic future, based on equality of all citizens.
I heard that thousands of people, particularly young individuals, have been leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past years. The talent drain is a cause for real concern, and I hope the country can find solutions and implement effective measures to stem the outflow. It is not just about lack of jobs, but it is also because of perceived corruption and the lack of trust in the authorities, institutions and public services. Bosnia and Herzegovina has so much to offer, and I truly hope that its leaders stand united and to put this young country’s best interests first - for the benefit of everyone.
Since the signature of the Dayton Peace Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina has adopted an extensive legislative framework and it is equipped with a significant number of judicial and other institutions which are entrusted with promoting and protecting human rights. Many of the people I met deplored the lack of implementation and enforcement of legislation. Some expressed concerns about the functioning or even the independence of institutions, revealing significant distrust in their capacity to protect rights. It is critical for these institutions to be solid, independent, transparent and impartial, and to be seen as such. The Human Rights Ombudsmen institution of Bosnia and Herzegovina has a particularly critical role to play. As the appointment and selection process of the Ombudsmen is starting , it is essential that it is fully transparent, fair and impartial, and that civil society organizations are able to monitor this process. This institution must be trusted by all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and proactively promote and protect human rights as well as the work of civil society actors.
Many interlocutors in civil society have described the pushbacks on civic space in the past years, with particular concerns in the Republika Srpska entity. Journalists as well as human rights defenders, particularly women, have faced increasing pressure, intimidation and threats. One major concern is stigmatization by political leaders, which triggers social exclusion. The protection of fundamental freedoms is essential at all times, all the more so ahead of elections in October. It is also important to set mechanisms to strengthen the protection of journalists and human rights defenders, and encourage initiatives taken in this regard.
The diversity of this country is one of its greatest assets. I see so much potential for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Everyone deserves to live in a safe place where respect for the human rights of everyone is at its core.
Thank you.
ENDS
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Press Release
27 June 2022
UNODC World Drug Report 2022 highlights trends on cannabis post-legalization, environmental impacts of illicit drugs, and drug use among women and youth
According to the report, around 284 million people aged 15-64 used drugs worldwide in 2020, a 26 per cent increase over the previous decade. Young people are using more drugs, with use levels today in many countries higher than with the previous generation. In Africa and Latin America, people under 35 represent the majority of people being treated for drug use disorders. Globally, the report estimates that 11.2 million people worldwide were injecting drugs. Around half of this number were living with hepatitis C, 1.4 million were living with HIV, and 1.2 million were living with both.
Reacting to these findings, UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly stated: “Numbers for the manufacturing and seizures of many illicit drugs are hitting record highs, even as global emergencies are deepening vulnerabilities. At the same time, misperceptions regarding the magnitude of the problem and the associated harms are depriving people of care and treatment and driving young people towards harmful behaviours. We need to devote the necessary resources and attention to addressing every aspect of the world drug problem, including the provision of evidence-based care to all who need it, and we need to improve the knowledge base on how illicit drugs relate to other urgent challenges, such as conflicts and environmental degradation.”
The report further emphasizes the importance of galvanizing the international community, governments, civil society and all stakeholders to take urgent action to protect people, including by strengthening drug use prevention and treatment and by tackling illicit drug supply.
Early indications and effects of cannabis legalization
Cannabis legalization in North America appears to have increased daily cannabis use, especially potent cannabis products and particularly among young adults. Associated increases in people with psychiatric disorders, suicides and hospitalizations have also been reported. Legalization has also increased tax revenues and generally reduced arrest rates for cannabis possession.
Continued growth in drug production and trafficking
Cocaine manufacture was at a record high in 2020, growing 11 per cent from 2019 to 1,982 tons. Cocaine seizures also increased, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, to a record 1,424 tons in 2020. Nearly 90 per cent of cocaine seized globally in 2021 was trafficked in containers and/or by sea. Seizure data suggest that cocaine trafficking is expanding to other regions outside the main markets of North America and Europe, with increased levels of trafficking to Africa and Asia. Trafficking of methamphetamine continues to expand geographically, with 117 countries reporting seizures of methamphetamine in 2016‒2020 versus 84 in 2006‒2010.
Meanwhile, the quantities of methamphetamine seized grew five-fold between 2010 and 2020. Opium production worldwide grew seven per cent between 2020 and 2021 to 7,930 tons – predominantly due to an increase in production in Afghanistan. However, the global area under opium poppy cultivation fell by 16 per cent to 246,800 ha in the same period.
Key drug trends broken down by region
In many countries in Africa and South and Central America, the largest proportion of people in treatment for drug use disorders are there primarily for cannabis use disorders. In Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and in Central Asia, people are most often in treatment for opioid use disorders. In the United States and Canada, overdose deaths, predominantly driven by an epidemic of the non-medical use of fentanyl, continue to break records. Preliminary estimates in the United States point to more than 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021, up from nearly 92,000 in 2020. In the two largest markets for methamphetamine, seizures have been increasing – they rose by seven per cent in North America from the previous year, while in South-East Asia they increased by 30 per cent from the previous year, record highs in both regions. A record high was also reported for methamphetamine seizures reported from South-West Asia, increasing by 50 per cent in 2020 from 2019. Great inequality remains in the availability of pharmaceutical opioids for medical consumption. In 2020, there were 7,500 more doses per 1 million inhabitants of controlled pain medication in North America than in West and Central Africa.
Conflict zones as magnets for synthetic drug production
This year’s report also highlights that illicit drug economies can flourish in situations of conflict and where the rule of law is weak, and in turn can prolong or fuel conflict. Information from the Middle East and South-East Asia suggest that conflict situations can act as a magnet for the manufacture of synthetic drugs, which can be produced anywhere. This effect may be greater when the conflict area is close to large consumer markets. Historically, parties to conflict have used drugs to finance conflict and generate income. The 2022 World Drug Report also reveals that conflicts may also disrupt and shift drug trafficking routes, as has happened in the Balkans and more recently in Ukraine.
A possible growing capacity to manufacture amphetamine in Ukraine if the conflict persists
There was a significant increase in the number of reported clandestine laboratories in Ukraine, skyrocketing from 17 dismantled laboratories in 2019 to 79 in 2020. 67 out of these laboratories were producing amphetamines, up from five in 2019 – the highest number of dismantled laboratories reported in any given country in 2020.
The environmental impacts of drug markets
Illicit drug markets, according to the 2022 World Drug Report, can have local, community or individual-level impacts on the environment. Key findings include that the carbon footprint of indoor cannabis is between 16 and 100 times more than outdoor cannabis on average and that the footprint of 1 kilogram of cocaine is 30 times greater than that of cocoa beans. Other environmental impacts include substantial deforestation associated with illicit cocoa cultivation, waste generated during synthetic drug manufacture that can be 5-30 times the volume of the end product, and the dumping of waste which can affecting soil, water and air directly, as well as organisms, animals and the food chain indirectly.
Ongoing gender treatment gap and disparities in drug use and treatment
Women remain in the minority of drug users globally yet tend to increase their rate of drug consumption and progress to drug use disorders more rapidly than men do. Women now represent an estimated 45-49 per cent of users of amphetamines and non-medical users of pharmaceutical stimulants, pharmaceutical opioids, sedatives, and tranquilizers. The treatment gap remains large for women globally. Although women represent almost one in two amphetamines users, they constitute only one in five people in treatment for amphetamine use disorders. The World Drug Report 2022 also spotlights the wide range of roles fulfilled by women in the global cocaine economy, including cultivating coca, transporting small quantities of drugs, selling to consumers, and smuggling into prisons.
***
The World Drug Report and further content is available here.
The 2022 World Drug Report provides a global overview of the supply and demand of opiates, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine-type stimulants and new psychoactive substances (NPS), as well as their impact on health.
For further information, please visit: World Drug Report 2022 homepage https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/wdr2021.html
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Press Release
21 June 2022
#NoToHate: Human Rights Institutions and the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina pledge to counter hate speech in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Recognizing the persistent prevalence of hate speech in the public space, including online, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the harmful impact it has on the society, notably on reconciliation, these key institutions, all entrusted to counter hate speech and discrimination under their respective mandates, signed a pledge to reaffirm their commitment and express their determination to counter and condemn any manifestations of such speech.
While signing the pledge, dr. Jasminka Džumhur, Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina highlighted that “tolerance, in a society of diversity, established on the principles of preserving the dignity of each individual, regardless of which group they belong to, presupposes an established effective legislative and institutional framework for the prevention and countering of hate speech. Invoking freedom of expression cannot be an excuse to use hate speech, which is why the media, as a channel of communication, has an immense responsibility. "
“It is very important to react in a timely manner, to prevent possible hate speech, and that means more education – by the school system, the media, in everyday public life. Insisting on accountability for the spoken word must be dominant, and thus the role of state institutions, civil society and regulatory bodies must be more efficient. It is crucial to establish effective mechanisms for the prevention, protection from and sanctioning of hate speech in our society. In addition to the fact that regulatory bodies have been established and an appropriate legal framework is in place to prevent and combat hate speech, it is very important that the media and public figures are aware of their responsibilities and the impact they have on the public”, added Ms. Nives Jukić, Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On the occasion of the joint signing, the President of the Central Electoral Commission BiH, Dr. Suad Arnautovic, stressed the importance of awareness raising and educating voters and the general public to recognize all forms of hate speech expressed by political officials, candidates and their supporters. The goal of combating hate speech is to strengthen tolerance in a society and the much-needed development and progress of the democratic processes. The document was signed on behalf of the Central Election Commission by Ms. Vanja Bjelica-Prutina, Member of the CEC.
“Discriminatory stereotypes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and society are present in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which encourages sexist and misogynistic attitudes. Therefore, women are often exposed to gender-based hate speech, especially journalists, politicians, activists and all human rights defenders in general. It is necessary to adopt and implement effective measures to prevent and prohibit the use of sexist and misogynistic language and hate speech in the public discourse. It is necessary to ensure the protection of all women human rights defenders in order to enable them to carry out their important tasks freely without fear or threat of violence or harassment. Now - during the upcoming election campaign, it is especially important to draw the attention of the media, political actors and the general public towards non-acceptance of sexist and misogynistic portrayal of women politicians in the media and point out the importance of positive portrayal of women as active drivers of change in a society”, said Ms. Samra Filipović Hadžiabdić , Director of the Agency for Gender Equality of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina upon signing the pledge.
Ms Amela Odobašić, Director of Broadcasting, Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina underlined that „there is no more problematic issue for those who deal with media freedoms than „hate speech“. Relying on the freedom to receive and communicate information, in accordance with the Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the media are obliged to inform citizens about everything including the appearance of hate speech. The issue of hate speech in BiH is regulated by a legal framework - the Code of Audiovisual Media Services and Radio Media Services, based on the international legal instruments. The Internet is considered as a turbo accelerator of hate speech not only because of the access it provides but also because it allows freedom without accountability. Therefore, dealing with hate speech is a complex and multidimensional task in which all relevant participants in a society should be involved.“
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dr. Ingrid Macdonald, commended the commitment of the institutions, highlighting that “the role of institutions with mandates to monitor, regulate and address discrimination and hate speech is essential in today's world of rapid information flows. In a country where toxic hate speech and disinformation is prolific, these institutions can lead by example, by showing zero tolerance for all forms of hate speech. Words, comments and depictions with the intent of targeting a specific group are never acceptable, and often cause real harm. We all have a role to play to ensure safe public space by saying “No to Hate!”.
The meeting also underlined the need to strengthen cooperation among the relevant institutions, to increase awareness about hate speech and its impact, and to join forces to prevent and counter this phenomenon.
The United Nations team in Bosnia and Herzegovina will continue to support efforts to counter hate speech, as well as disinformation and misinformation under the United Nations global Action Plan to Counter Hate Speech and the #NoToHate action.
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Latest Resources
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Resources
15 December 2021
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