The Bosnian war ended in 1995 with the internationally brokered Dayton Peace Agreement, establishing Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) as a state composed of two highly autonomous and largely ethnically homogeneous entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (mostly Bosniaks and Croats) and Republika Srpska (predominantly Serbs). The central institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are weak, with the bulk of governmental competencies residing in the two entities.
The inability to introduce any constitutional progress afterwards has cemented and deepened the ethnic division and contributed to the lack of visibility and equality of ethnic minorities, especially Romani as BiH's most numerous, most disadvantaged, and most vulnerable minority.
The country's elites are inflaming inter-ethnic tensions to divert peoples’ attention away from the corruption scandals and general incompetence in the public sector. The new governing coalition in BiH has raised high expectations and received strong international support but has yet to produce tangible results. In December 2022, the European Union granted BiH the status of a candidate country. This was seen in BiH not so much as recognition of the progress made, but rather as encouragement to continue as before.
Engagement from civil society is severely restricted by the state. The criminalisation of defamation in the Republika Srpska is alienating BiH even further from the values of the EU. These developments are being monitored by the international community in the country. It is aware of the potentially devastating effects of these regressive movements on the further democratisation process Many young people emigrate because of a dysfunctional political system, poor economic prospects, and high unemployment.
Gender-based violence is not sufficiently addressed at the political level. There are still considerable political deficits in the area of social development and social protection: As in Switzerland, the Istanbul Convention (adopted by the Council of Europe in 2011) is insufficiently implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among other things, there is a lack of implementation of victim protection and criminal prosecution. For survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) for example, state support for free legal aid and representation in court is limited and difficult to obtain. In practice, only civil society organisations fill this void. Women's shelters continue to face financing challenges. Furthermore, the state is failing to fulfil its obligations in this area. Due to a lack of funding, one of nine shelters had to close in 2023.
The femicide in Gradacac in August 2023, where the torment, beating and brutal murder of a women in the form of an execution were broadcast live on social networks, has profoundly shaken Bosnia and Herzegovina. Wide circles were shocked, and the act not only sparked public outrage, but has also catalysed a series of riots and protests across the country. This murder has highlighted the prevailing vulnerabilities that women face and how women’s lives remain at risk, as well as emphasized the need for a robust legal and social framework that not only penalizes such crimes but also works proactively to prevent them. This includes educational programs to combat the societal norms that underpin gender-based violence, improved support systems for survivors and more efficient judicial processes to address and condemn such violence. Moreover, the atrocity has brought gender-based violence into the political spotlight at all levels of government. It has highlighted the urgent need to address the systemic problems that allow such violent acts to perpetuate. Policy makers, legislators, and law enforcement agencies are now compelled to prioritise the formulation and implementation of comprehensive strategies to combat GBV at all levels.
In addition, Bosnia and Herzegovina is located on the route for migrants travelling across the Mediterranean to countries in the European Union. As the last non-EU country, BiH is a suitable transit country for thousands of people on the move. The government's humanitarian response in this area is also inadequate.
Despite lingering tensions between different religious and ethnic groups, shared experiences of conflict and a common desire to create a brighter future have served as powerful sources of solidarity for post-war communities. Women have played a pivotal role in this process, leading grassroots organizations and working tirelessly to foster peace and understanding between individuals from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds. These collective efforts offer hope for a better future in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
