Publications

In 2024 the OSCE Mission in BiH supported four committees of both houses of the Parliament of Federation of BiH4 in holding three thematic sessions on domestic violence. This collaboration was the result of a need for an increased and strategic approach towards the gender-based violence issue that needed an urgent respond and long-standing co-operation between the Mission and the key stakeholders and decision-makers.

By supporting activities aimed at increasing the capacity of executive and legislative structures to work in the interest of citizens, ensure legislative oversight, and assist the country to achieve its reform policy goals, the Mission contributes to promoting stability and reconciliation in BiH by developing systems of governance. The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina works on safeguarding the main principles of democratic governance at all levels of authority and ensuring that institutions and governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina adhere to good governance standards to ensure that they are responsive, transparent, effective, representative of and accountable to citizens.

According to the 2013 census, women represent around 51 per cent of the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, they are under-represented across society, including in politics. Increasing women’s participation in politics would be beneficial for society as a whole, not only for women. Women’s participation in politics and elections, be it as candidates, voters, or party supporters, is a democratic principle that ensures that their needs are well addressed.

Relations with key political actors of BiH are of vital importance for the successful implementation of the Mission’s political and programmatic objectives and as such, remain at the top of the Mission’s priorities. Through the Political Outreach and Elections Unit, the Mission is monitoring political and other relevant activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region and assesses trends that might affect the political/security situation and its political impact on the Mission’s mandate implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina produced a factsheet on an ExB project titled: Informed citizens and efficient mechanisms to prevent and fight corruption. The main objective of the Project is to support BiH’s efforts in diminishing corruption by raising awareness of the consequences of corruption for BiH citizens and strengthening the capacity of anti-corruption bodies in corruption prevention.

The realization of the right to social assistance, adequate housing and an efficient system of social protection are of paramount importance in all societies. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where a large portion of the population lives in poverty and social exclusion, these issues are even more critical.