Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Treatment of Immigration Detainees Examined at the UPR 

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s treatment of migrants and asylum seekers was scrutinised during its review at the UN Universal Periodic Review in January. The GDP, Border Violence Monitoring Network, and Collective Aid submitted evidence to the UPR detailing concerns regarding Bosnia’s treatment of non-nationals. Key detention-related issues raised in the submission are reflected in member state recommendations, including […]

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Bosnia and Herzegovina: Reports of Pushbacks, Detention of Children and Inadequate Conditions in Detention Facilities

Recent reports reveal the abusive treatment of migrants and asylum seekers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including violent pushbacks, arbitrary arrests, and the detention of children. Conditions in the country’s detention facilities have also been the subject of harsh criticism for their abysmal conditions and for failing to meet minimal standards.  In a joint submission for […]

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Lukavica Detention Centre (Source: Google Street View).

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review

CONCERNING ISSUES RELATED TO IMMIGRATION DETENTION AND MIGRANT RIGHTS  SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 4TH CYCLE As discussed in more detail below (see section 8), the above-named civil society organisations urge Member States of the UH Human Rights Council to support the following recommendations for of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 4th Cycle of the […]

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Bosnia and Herzegovina: Secrecy and Confusion Surrounding New Detention Centre for “Fake Asylum Seekers”

In 2022, the EU announced plans to fund a new detention unit within the grounds of a Temporary Reception Centre near Bosnia’s north-western border with Croatia. In recent months, however, significant confusion and controversy has emerged surrounding the centre. […]

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Bosnia and Herzegovina Immigration Detention Data Profile (2020)

Bosnia and Herzegovina Detention Data (2020) The latest detention-related data from Bosnia and Herzegovina, including immigration and detention-related statistics, domestic laws and policies, international law, and institutional indicators. View the Bosnia and Herzegovina Detention Data Profile Related Readings: Bosnia and Herzegovina: Country Page Submission to the UN Committee against Torture: Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and […]

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Bosnia and Herzegovina: Covid-19 and Detention

Amidst rising xenophobic sentiment in the country (see 29 April update on this platform), in mid-August residents of Velika Kladusa (in the Krajina region, on the Bosnian-Croatian border) staged a protest to denounce purported assaults by foreigners on local civilians. The protestors reportedly blocked a road leading to an asylum seeker reception centre. During the […]

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Bosnia and Herzegovina: Covid-19 and Detention

According to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Institute of Human Rights (Ombudsman), responding to the Global Detention Project’s Covid-19 survey, the country did not establish a moratorium on new immigration detention orders, nor did it consider establishing one. The Ombudsman reported that no immigration detainees were released from detention, except those who were returned to the […]

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Bosnia and Herzegovina – Human Rights Ombudsman – COVID-19 Survey Response

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Human Rights Ombudsman’s official response to the Global Detention Project’s COVID-19 survey. The GDP submitted information requests to government agencies, international organisations, National Human Rights Institutions, and NGOs requesting information pertaining to the treatment of immigration detainees during the pandemic. Responses were documented on our COVID-19 Immigration Detention Platform. More information about Bosnia […]

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Submission to the UN Committee against Torture: Bosnia and Herzegovina

Conditions within detention and reception facilities in Bosnia and Herzegvonia have long been a matter of concern for rights observers – and the Covid-19 crisis has only exacerbated these. In this submission to the UN Committee against Torture, the GDP highlights areas of concern and urges the committee to address various priorities prior to the presentation of BiH’s report. […]

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