Consultation on Reparations for Civilian Victims of the War in BiH

On 28 November 2024, the United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted a consultation on reparations for civilian victims of the 1992-1995 war at the United Nations House in Sarajevo. The event was jointly organized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Trial International in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The consultation aimed to foster dialogue among stakeholders on various forms of reparation, review progress achieved, identify outstanding gaps and obstacles in light of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s international human rights obligations, and propose concrete recommendations to address existing challenges. It brought together associations of survivors and families of victims, representatives of authorities, civil society organizations, academia, and international stakeholders. Discussions highlighted that nearly 30 years after the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressing reparation for civilian victims remains a significant challenge. While some efforts have been made, many victims have yet to claim or receive adequate reparation. Inconsistent legal frameworks across the country and various legal and administrative hurdles further exacerbate the trauma experienced by victims. Collective forms of reparation, including memorialization efforts and guarantees of non-recurrence, are often fragmented and rarely involve victims in consultation processes. Ingrid...