The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), a body of the Council of Europe, has finalized its fourth country monitoring report on Bosnia and Herzegovina. The document was adopted on 9 April 2024 and subsequently made public on 25 June 2024. This latest assessment continues a long-standing process of monitoring the country’s compliance with standards regarding the fight against racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and other forms of intolerance.

The publication of the fourth report marks a significant milestone in ECRI’s oversight of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It follows a series of previous evaluations that have tracked the country’s progress and challenges over nearly two decades. The first report on Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted on 25 June 2004 and published in February 2005. Subsequent reports were adopted in 2010, 2013, and 2016, with the third report published in February 2017. Additionally, conclusions from the 2013 report were adopted in December 2013 and published in February 2014, while conclusions from the 2016 report were adopted in December 2019 and published in March 2020.

The new fourth report is available in English, French, and Bosnian, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, and the general public. The report includes both the ECRI’s findings and the official comments from the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing a comprehensive view of the current situation. This multi-lingual approach reflects the Council of Europe’s commitment to inclusive communication and transparency in its monitoring activities.

For the Sarajevo community and the broader Bosnian public, these reports serve as a critical tool for understanding the state of human rights protections and the effectiveness of national policies in combating discrimination. The release of the 2024 report invites renewed attention to the issues highlighted by ECRI and the government’s response to them. As Bosnia and Herzegovina continues its path toward European integration, the findings of such international bodies remain relevant to domestic policy discussions and public awareness.