Recent initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of tackling hate speech and discrimination, with a particular attention on LGBTI, were focused on promoting a culture of dialogue while empowering public authorities to effectively address discrimination. Civil servants were equipped with the tools to recognise and tackle hate speech, demonstrating a strong commitment to creating a more inclusive and respectful environment in both public and digital spaces.
The City of Banja Luka hosted a capacity building activity focused on preventing hate speech on the internet and promoting a positive use of social media. The event organised with the support of EU and Council of Europe brought together 35 participants representing various groups in the society.
The Civil Service Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina organised in the mountain Jahorina the first training for 26 civil servants on recognising and responding to cases of hate speech. This training, that took place on 8 and 9 July 2024, is a follow-up of the already developed online course. The training emphasised distinguishing between hate speech and freedom of speech, as well as identifying when hate speech should be addressed under criminal law, civil law, or as an offensive or harmful expression.
At a round table organised in Sarajevo, journalists, civil society and human rights activists, experts and representatives of the relevant ministries explored co-regulation models for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and discussed potential changes needed to align its legal framework with the EU acquis. Furthermore, the Centre for Psychological Support Sensus concluded the capacity building initiative on "Gender, Identity, and Sexuality" in Mostar and Foča, where 17 mental health professionals had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into working particularly the LGBTI population. The focus was on effective counselling approaches, especially in managing anxiety and depression linked to discrimination and stigmatisation, and on employing the best techniques for supporting individuals’ mental health.
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