Press statement | 08.12.2016 International Day of Human Rights Human Rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina On the occasion of marking of 10 December - International Day of Human Rights Ombudsmen of Bosnia and Herzegovina indicate to a number of challenges in implementation of citizens' rights related to the specific economic and political situation in the country, accompanied by high levels of unemployment and low standard of living of the citizens, ineffective action of authorities at all levels and more frequent systemic human rights violations. Since the work of the Ombudsman Institution is based primarily on handling the complaints lodged by the citizens, investigations on complaints and direct contacts with citizens, it yielded the indicators of the difficulties in the implementation and protection of the rights of citizens in their interactions with public authorities. It related primarily to the length of the proceedings before the competent state authorities and local self-government bodies, in addition to rather significant number of complaints of citizens in which they point out the injustice and illegality of the decisions made by public authorities. Women, persons with disabilities, returnees, individuals belonging to minorities, the poor, the uneducated or those with only primary education, are still deprived of their rights in many places, sometimes even unable to participate in public life or excluded on the basis of discriminatory laws or practices, or because of lack of adequate infrastructure that would facilitate their inclusion. In order to raise public awareness, especially among public authority holders, Ombudsmen clearly defined the need to prepare special reports about the access to the rights of vulnerable categories of citizens and minorities. It constitutes a constant challenge for Ombudsmen, while limited resources and the need to ensure equal treatment of all groups require strategic planning of these activities. On the Day of Human Rights Ombudsmen of Bosnia and Herzegovina invite the authorities to exert greater social sensitivity in handling the problems of citizens, as they call on the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to reaffirm their right to express their opinions through participation in public discussions and decision-making processes. Ombudsmen of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their further engagement in carrying out of their mandate will endeavor, in cooperation with governmental institutions and civil sector, to improve the enjoyment of these rights. Useful Links Cooperation with NGO Office Days of the BiH Ombudsman Agreements of the Ombudsperson Institution of BiH with other ombudsman institutions Covid-19 and the human rights effect Freedom of Access to Information Marrakech Declaration, 12th October 2018 Operational Strategy of the Institution of Human rights Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Period 2023 – 2028 Medium-Term Plan 2024-2026 Ombudsman Manual for handling discrimination cases Guidelines for filling in the complaints in the area of discrimination Application before European Court of Human Rights - Instruction The life of an application before the European Court of Human Rights News Archive We are protecting rights of natural persons and legal entities in accordance with the Constitution of BiH and international human rights instruments...Ombudsmen of BiH Ombudsman's ActivitiesSastanak ombudsmenke dr. Jasminke Džumhur s predstavnicima ambasade Kraljevine NizozemskeSastanak ombudsmena dr Nevenka Vranješa s predstavnicom Helsinškog parlamenta građana u BanjaluciOmbudsmenke na sastanku Posebne grupe za reformu javne upraveOmbudsmenke razgovarale sa Specijalnim izvjestiocem UN-a za prava na slobodu mirnog okupljanja i udruživanjaOmbudsmenka dr. Jasminka Džumhur na Info sesiji ENNHRI-aOmbudsmenka dr Jasminka Džumhur na pripremnom sastanku Posebne grupe za reformu javne uprave između EU i BiHActivities Archive Latest publications Special report on underage marriages in Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 2024Universal periodic review of the state of human rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina - IV Cycle, March 2024Special report on the care of children without parental care with a special focus on the situation in institutions, September 2023Annual Report on results of the activities of the Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman of BiH for 2022