REACTION OF THE "POLICEWOMEN'S NETWORK" ASSOCIATION TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW ON POLICE OFFICERS OF B&H

The "Policewomen's Network" Association expresses concern about the proposed amendments to the Law on Police Officers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be on the agenda of the 34th session of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina today (12/12/2025), and which would allow police officers at the state level (DKPT BiH, SIPA, GP BiH) to remain in employment until the age of 60, even after completing 40 years of service and meeting the conditions for retirement.

We believe that the amendment in question is being proposed hastily and without a prior study that would determine the number of police officers who would actually use the opportunity to extend their service if the amendments were adopted. The proposed amendments show that the proposer did not take into account the gender perspective when creating them, or how they will affect the position and career advancement of policewomen who are underrepresented in all police agencies, especially in higher ranks and management positions.

The proposed amendments will not improve the position of policewomen, nor will they encourage young women to decide to work in the police authorities, since policewomen are already, due to various factors, having difficulty advancing in their service, and the proposed amendments to the law would practically halt this by the end of 2028.

We remind you of the obligations under the Law on Gender Equality of B&H and UN Resolution 1325 “Women, Peace and Security” that institutions should adopt appropriate programs of measures “with the aim of promoting gender equality, with a special emphasis on increasing the number of women in decision-making positions in security structures”.

We express our full support to the SIPA Trade Union and the SSPO BiH in their efforts to present the shortcomings of the proposed amendments to the proponents and lawmakers.