ECRI: Bosnia fails to implement two priority anti-discrimination recommendations

The findings assess progress on recommendations issued in ECRI’s 2024 report on the country. While acknowledging initiatives and preparatory steps, the commission concluded that neither recommendation had been implemented.

School discrimination persists despite court rulings

ECRI acknowledged efforts to promote inclusive education, including curriculum development, policy recommendations and targeted support for groups vulnerable to discrimination and exclusion, including Roma children.

However, it described these initiatives as limited in scope, fragmented, largely project-based and unevenly implemented. They do not constitute a comprehensive, coordinated and enforceable framework capable of effectively eliminating all forms of discrimination in education, it said.

The commission expressed concern that the practice of “two schools under one roof” continues in several cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite binding domestic court decisions finding it discriminatory.

Significant challenges also persist in the Republika Srpska entity, including disputes over language rights, insufficiently inclusive curricula and structural barriers to inter-ethnic understanding.

ECRI therefore concluded that its first priority recommendation had not been implemented.

Electoral reforms remain at the preparatory stage

The second recommendation called for determined action on electoral legislation to comply with the European Court of Human Rights’ 2009 judgment in Sejdic and Finci v. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

ECRI noted the adoption of a revised action plan in July 2025 and the establishment of a working group in October that year to prepare draft amendments to the Constitution and Election Law.

However, it said these measures remained “largely procedural and preparatory” and had not resulted in concrete legislative or constitutional reform.

The constitutional and electoral framework continues to prevent people who do not belong to the country’s three constituent peoples from standing for election to key political institutions.

ECRI consequently concluded that its second priority recommendation had also not been implemented.