Convicted pedophiles in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) will now be permanently listed in a confidential registry, marking a significant step in protecting children. This registry, long-awaited for five years, mirrors a similar practice in Republika Srpska, where nearly 250 pedophiles are already registered.

Recent cases, such as the conviction of actor Moamer Kasumovic for sexual abuse of a minor, have raised public concern. The new registry aims to ensure that convicted individuals will be permanently tracked, preventing them from coming into contact with children. “It's important to know where these individuals are at all times,” said Elma Dizdarevic from the Sarajevo Parents’ Council.

The registry will be available to courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, and other institutions upon request. Jasmin Duvnjak highlighted its preventive role, saying, “This is a strong and functional mechanism to track those convicted of serious crimes.”

The move follows public outrage, particularly after Kasumović paid off his one-year sentence for 36,500 KM. Calls for harsher penalties have grown, and legislative changes are expected soon. Dragan Miokovic, Speaker of the FBiH House of Representatives, said stricter laws should be enacted within a month.

Arma Tanovic, an actress, emphasized the need for societal support for survivors, noting that only 10 to 16% report such crimes due to shame and fear. “Protecting the most vulnerable, our children, must be the priority,” she said.