International bodies demand urgent action for Roma inclusion in Bosnia

The organisations highlighted a staggering disparity in education as a primary driver of this exclusion. While primary school attendance among the general population reaches 98%, it stands at only 69.3% for Roma children. The situation worsens at the secondary level, where enrolment plummets to 23%, and just 18% for Roma girls. Furthermore, participation in early childhood education remains critically low at under 2%.

Roma women and girls face intersecting hurdles based on gender and ethnicity, often compounded by early marriages that limit economic opportunities and bodily autonomy. Politically, Roma remain classified as "Others" under the current constitutional framework. This status prevents them from exercising full electoral rights, despite the landmark Sejdic and Finci judgment by the European Court of Human Rights, which remains unimplemented.

The joint statement also emphasised the necessity of "dealing with the past." Recent research has documented atrocities against Roma during the Second World War and the 1992–1995 conflict, including mass killings and forced displacement. Ensuring accountability and memorialisation is deemed essential for a cohesive society.

Looking forward, the international bodies expressed concern that the Council of Ministers has yet to adopt the Action Plan for the Social Inclusion of Roma for 2026-2030. They urged authorities to bypass delays and adopt the plan, noting that Roma integration is a key benchmark for BiH’s European Union membership aspirations and a requirement under the 2019 Poznan Declaration. Addressing these vulnerabilities, they concluded, is essential for building a resilient society for all citizens.