Raising awareness and strengthening knowledge on discrimination and antigypsyism through peer exchange, practical examples and self-reflection was the focus of a training for public servants held in Sarajevo on 4-5 March 2026.

The training was jointly organised by the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Institution of the Ombudsman for Human Rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Association “Otaharin”, and the joint Council of Europe and European Union programme “Roma Integration – Phase III”. It brought together 28 public servants from 17 institutions at all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Opening the event, the  Assistant Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kemo Šarac, highlighted the importance of combating discrimination and antigypsyism within the country’s European integration process. He recalled Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitments under the 2019 Declaration of Western Balkans Partners on Roma Integration within the EU enlargement process (Poznań Declaration), as well as other international human rights frameworks aimed at strengthening institutional capacities in this field.

Assistant Ombudsman Predrag Raosavljević underlined that discrimination and antigypsyism remain global challenges rooted in long-standing stigmatisation and marginalisation. Addressing these issues requires sustained efforts to raise awareness and transform attitudes. He also emphasised the importance of informing Roma communities about their rights, the mechanisms available for protection, and the importance of reporting discrimination.

Representing the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ajsa Adrović-Beslagić noted that progress in combating discrimination, implementation of the Sejdić-Finci judgment, and transformation of institutional culture are essential elements of the European integration process. She expressed hope that the Action Plan for the Social Inclusion of Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be adopted in the near future.

During the first day of the training, participants explored the relevant institutions for addressing discrimination, while representatives of the Association “Otaharin” presented the historical and social context of antigypsyism. The sessions focused on clarifying key concepts, strengthening knowledge of institutional protection mechanisms and encouraging professionals to reflect on their own practices.

The second day focused on practical work, including case analysis and group exercises in which participants identified manifestations of antigypsyism and discussed appropriate professional responses.

Participants were also introduced to the Report on the Position of Roma in Bosnia and Herzegovina, prepared within the joint Council of Europe–European Union programme “Roma Integration III”. The report draws on consultations with 132 respondents, including representatives of 59 institutions and 14 civil society organisations, as well as focus groups with 35 Roma community members in five local communities.

It highlights the need to raise awareness of antigypsyism through training and public campaigns, better inform Roma communities, especially young people, about their rights and available protection mechanisms, increase media space for national minorities and promote responsible reporting, and strengthen the enforcement of penalties for hate speech and discrimination against Roma and other national minorities.

This activity was supported by the Joint Programme "Roma Integration III", co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe.