Promotion of the Manual on the Conduct of Police Officers in Cases of Violence against LGBTI People

 The promotion of the Manual on the Conduct of Police Officers in Cases of Violence against LGBTI Persons is being held today in Konjic, which was developed within the project "Protection of Human Rights: Strengthening Police Capacity in Combating Violence against LGBTI Persons", implemented by the Association of Police Officers "With the support of the US Embassy.

The Handbook was preceded by two trainings for police officials on the topic "Investigation of hate crimes", which was attended by 80 police officials from all over BiH.

At today's promotion, the authors of the Manuel spoke about its importance for the work of the police, emphasizing the need to increase the sensitivity of the police in working with LGBTI people, recognizing hate crimes, and timely research and proof of the same. It was emphasized that hate crimes send a strong message of intolerance and cause great fear in the community towards which they are directed, which is why it is important for the state to react immediately.

In the introductory speech, it was emphasized that our country is characterized by a high degree of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia,  due to which LGBTI people are exposed to constant discrimination and threats to basic human rights. Since hate crimes tend to escalate, timely and adequate police response is very important. It is especially stated that the police is a service for all citizens and that authorized officials must act professionally in each specific case without showing prejudice against anyone.

The manual will be distributed to all police agencies in BiH for further use.
Strengthening the capacity of the police in the fight against violence against LGBTI people will contribute to increasing trust in police structures and more criminal reports, as well as  successful investigations and prosecuted crimes. Also, it will have a preventive effect on potential perpetrators.

The authors of the Handbook are Kristina Jozić and Aida Cacan, policewomen, Prof. Dr. Marija Lučić Ćatić, FKKSS and Jozo Blažević, Sarajevo Open Center.