Bosnia and Herzegovina Ombudsmen report rise in children's rights violations

During International Children's Week, the Ombudsman Institution of Bosnia and Herzegovina reported a significant rise in complaints regarding the violation of children's rights. In 2025, the Department for Monitoring the Realization of Children's Rights registered 404 complaints, marking a 35.12% increase compared to the previous year.

Key areas of concern include education—specifically regarding school staff conduct, peer violence, and institutional management—as well as healthcare, social work centers, and high-conflict divorce cases. The Ombudsmen issued 58 recommendations across 41 cases to address these issues.

In Livno, the week was marked by community events organized by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the Ministry of Labour, Health, Social Welfare and Displaced Persons of Hercegbosanska Canton. The program included children from local schools and the ‘Nova nada’ center for children with developmental disabilities, focusing on the importance of equal opportunities and the symbolic lighting of the ‘flame of friendship’ to promote unity and rights.