U.S. Embassy support
Protection of human rights: Strengthening the capacities of police agencies to combat violence against LGBTI people
The project entitled "Protection of Human Rights: Strengthening the capacities of police agencies to combat violence against LGBTI people" was implemented during 2019 and 2020 with the financial support of the US Embassy within the "Democratic Commission" grant.
Our country is characterized by a high level of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, which is why LGBTI people are exposed to constant discrimination and threats to basic human rights. Since hate crimes tend to escalate and send a message of intolerance and fear throughout the community they are targeted, it is very important for the police to respond in a timely manner, and for authorized officials to act professionally in each case without prejudice against anyone.
The aim of the project is to raise awareness and break down prejudices about LGBTI people and identify best practices for police action in combating violence against LGBTI people and also to increase their sense of security and confidence in police structures, as well as increase police efficiency in protecting human rights in general.
Within this project, two workshops were realized on the topic "Investigation of hate crimes", which were attended by a total of about 80 police officers from law enforcement agencies from all over BiH. The aim of the workshops was to increase the sensitivity of the police in working with LGBTI people, to identify hate crimes, and to investigate and prove them in a timely manner. The workshops covered basic topics related to the understanding of the gender concept, different sexual orientations, etc., and the essence of stereotypes and prejudices as motives for committing hate crimes. Also, the most common prejudices directed towards the LGBTI population were discussed. Topics related to the investigation and proving of hate crimes were covered in detail, with a focus on indicators that are important for the work of the police and directing the investigation in the right direction. The lecturers were experts in this field from the Association, the Faculty of Criminology, Criminology and Security Studies and the Sarajevo Open Center.
It is important to note that strengthening the capacity of the police in the fight against violence against LGBTI people also contributes to increasing trust in police structures and a larger number of criminal reports, and also successful investigations and prosecuted crimes will have a preventive effect on potential perpetrators.
Within this project, a Manual/handbook on the conduct of police officers in cases of violence against LGBTI people was developed, which was promoted at a round table organized on the occasion of this event, and then distributed to all police agencies in BiH. The authors of the Handbook are Kristina Jozić and Aida Cacan, police officers, Prof. Dr. Marija Lučić Ćatić, FKKSS and Jozo Blažević, Sarajevo Open Center.
At the promotion, the authors of the Handbook 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 investigate and prove the same.
You can find more information about the realized activities in the links below: