An analysis carried out by the Sarajevo Open Centre among the LGBTI community showed that 87,4% of respondents in Bosnia and Herzegovinado not trust to the police. Among the major reasons provided, it was stated that it is because of fearing secondary victimisation based on their sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI).

To improve trust of citizens in law enforcement, on 27 and 28 September the European Union and the Council of Europe supported the Brcko District Police in co-organising the first training for their police officers on the topic of responding to hate crime and hate speech targeted towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI). This capacity building is also foreseen among the activities set within the first LGBTI Action plan for Bosnia and Hertegovina (2021 – 2024), which was adopted in 2022 by the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thanks to this training, 24 police officers gained a comprehensive understanding of the existing legal and procedural framework to address forms of hatred, including at the criminal level. Additionally, the training focused on fostering sensitivity towards individuals who identify themselves as LGBTI, providing insights into the challenges faced by this community as well as dispelling biases that may exist. As one of the police participants put it: “This training is excellent, I have met for the first time LGBTI people and I need some time to process what I have heard here...I think that all our colleagues need to undergo such a training in order to understand the topic since we can further disseminate what we learned to the colleagues but it will not be the same.”

The contact person for the LGBTI community withing Brcko District Police commented that “one of the most important issues for the police is a sensitive approach towards LGBTI people who approach us regarding their problems…we are sometimes the only ones they can turn to. They need lots of courage to come to us and to open up themselves.”

By implementing such a training and targeted programme, police officers will be able to effectively handle hate crime and hate speech based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity. This not only helps protect the rights and well-being of LGBTI individuals but also contributes to building a more inclusive and tolerant society.

This activity is organised by the action Towards an equal, inclusive and tolerant Bosnia and Herzegovina which is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey in co-operation with Brcko District police and Sarajevo open centre and in partnership with the joint European Union/Council of Europe action Further strengthening the treatment of detained and sentenced persons in line with European standards in Bosnia and Herzegovina.