EU supports police in the fight against discrimination

The work of the police in tackling discrimination, on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, was discussed today in a key meeting of representatives from the EU and BiH institutions and agencies.

The EU-funded project “Coming out: Advocating promotion and protection of rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights”, implemented by Heinrich Böll Foundation, the Sarajevo Open Centre and the Foundation Cure, presented its latest project activities, including the publication of a police manual developed as part of the project.  In particular, the meeting discussed the further steps that are needed to be taken in order to achieve the fullest involvement of the BiH police agencies in the protection of LGBTI persons in criminal cases.

Representatives at the meeting were: the European Parliament Member, Tanja Fajon; BiH Minister of Human Rights and Refugees, Damir Ljubic; BiH Deputy Minister of Security, Mladen Cavar, and FBiH Ministry of Interior Affairs Secretary, Elvedina Hodzic, along with representation from the Delegation of the EU to Bosnia and Herzegovina/EUSR.

Member of the European Parliament, Tanja Fajon, underlined:

“It makes me extremely happy that the Police in Sarajevo have decided to put the fight against discrimination on their agenda, especially against LGBTI persons, who remain the most discriminated and invisible group in BiH’s society.  Diversity is our greatest wealth and our riches value not just in BiH and in the region of Western Balkans, but in Europe as well. This project, supported by the EU, is a great opportunity for an open dialogue, for the protection of minorities, for the promotion of tolerance and for advocating open-mindedness.”

Head of the Political Department of the EU Delegation to BiH/EU Special Representative, Thomas Busch, stated:

“The EU is serious about fighting discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The law enforcement authorities play a crucial role in protecting the rights of LGBTI persons in criminal cases. I am greatly encouraged by the presence, at today’s event, of many of the police officers from Canton Sarajevo who have been trained in the context of this project. We would like to see more police officers trained on LGBTI rights and for this topic to be included in the curricula of BiH’s Police academies.”

BiH Deputy Minister of Security, Mladen Cavar, emphasized:
 
“The BiH Ministry of Security promotes a non-discriminatory approach based on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. We are committed to recognise, observe and exercise fundamental human rights and freedoms, in line with international conventions, irrespective of religious, national or sexual background. This also includes the rights and freedoms of LGBTI persons. We also support training programmes where police officers are trained in protecting the rights of LGBTI persons while working on criminal cases.”

FBiH Ministry of Interior Secretary, Elvedina Hodzic, stressed:

“It is a constitutional obligation of the police to implement the powers vested by law and to ensure the safety of our citizens and their property, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, sexual or any other orientation or affiliation. This definition absolutely implies a uniform approach taken by the FBiH police at levels towards members of the LGBTI population and their property. In that respect, there cannot and there will not be compromise”.

Note to editors

o The project “Coming out: Advocating promotion and protection of rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights” is funded by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) in the amount of 180,000 EUR. It is implemented by the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the Sarajevo Open Centre and the Foundation Cure. It aims at advocating for the rights of LGBTI persons, one of the most discriminated and invisible groups in BiH society.

o To find out more about EU guidelines to promote and protect the enjoyment of all human rights by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexual (LGBTI) persons please go to: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/137584.pdf

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