On occasion of the May 17th, the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), the EU Special Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the EU Heads of Mission accredited to BiH reached out to the Minister for Human Rights and Refugees and urged him to ensure that BiH’s legislation and implementing measures adequately address discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The EU and EU Member States are committed to the importance of the equality of all people including members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community, exercising their human rights and living in safety and security, free from fear or physical, emotional or verbal harassment and abuse. Therefore, we are looking forward to partnership in taking above measures forward to address discrimination and prevent violent attacks against LGBTI persons in BiH. BiH as a signatory to many of the relevant human rights instruments prohibiting all forms of discrimination and as an aspirant EU candidate, should share the same commitment.

The adoption and implementation of a comprehensive strategy aimed at tackling discriminatory and biased attitudes within the administration, educational system and the general public and the establishment of a centralized system of collection of information on discrimination cases and an awareness raising campaign among legal professionals and the general public, should be considered as priorities. Furthermore, the role of law enforcement officials to act responsibly and proactively in order to ensure protection of the physical and mental integrity of the LGBTI persons, and to act effectively and timely to prevent violent attacks against LGBTI persons needs to be emphasised. In order to mark the IDAHO, the EU Delegation to BiH/EUSR has displayed the rainbow flag in the lobby of the EU House in Sarajevo.