Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin

From 13 to 20 January 2023, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism – at the time Fionnuala Ní Aoláin – conducted an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina to assess the counter‑terrorism laws, policies and practices, measured against the State’s international human rights obligations. 

The report of the visit, presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2024, provides an assessment of the legal framework related to terrorism, violent extremism and the financing of terrorism; the prosecution of terrorism-related cases; and the repatriation, reintegration and rehabilitation of nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The report found that new impetus is required on the part of both Sate-level and local authorities, sustained by the international community, to address the conditions that produce violence in post-conflict and transitional societies and functional governance. The report concludes with recommendations to the authorities at the State and entity levels, including to enhance implementation of the post-conflict and transitional measures essential for sustained peace; to bring national counter-terrorism legislation in line with international human rights law; to engage civil society organizations as meaningful partners in combating the financing of terrorism; to advance judicial independence through concrete measures; to urgently repatriate all Bosnia and Herzegovina nationals and members of their family still detained in the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic; to use legal, social and educational measures to address right-wing extremism, particularly in prisons; and to provide enhanced support, including financial support, to a broad range of civil society actors and protect civic space. 

https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5548add1-visit-bosnia-and-herzegovina-report-special-rapporteur