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Unsko-sanski kanton minister bans beards for police officers
Adnan Habibija, the Minister of Internal Affairs for Unsko-sanski kanton (USK), has issued a directive banning police officers from wearing beards. The new regulation, signed on October 13, 2026, mandates that hair and mustaches must be kept short and neat, effectively replacing a previous rule that allowed beards up to 10 millimeters in length.
Minister Habibija stated that the decision was made to improve discipline, neatness, and professional standards. He noted that the previous allowance was not respected by some officers, which he claimed undermined the reputation of the police uniform. He emphasized that the ban is not intended to restrict religious rights or personal beliefs, but rather to ensure uniform application of professional standards.
The USK Police Union has launched an initiative to review the legality and procedure of this decision. The union has raised concerns regarding the protection of officers' rights to privacy and religious freedom, citing a 2017 decision by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding beard bans for border police. Additionally, the union is questioning whether the decision violates collective agreements regarding the involvement of unions in creating labor regulations.
Entities
Adnan Habibija · Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina · MUP USK · Ministry of Internal Affairs of Una-Sana Canton · Sindikat policije USK · Unsko-sanski kanton
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Some officers failed to adhere to the 10mm limit, which harmed the reputation of the police uniform. bosnainfo.ba · www.biscani.net · rtv-hb.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The previous regulation allowed beards up to 10 millimeters in length. bosnainfo.ba · www.biscani.net · rtv-hb.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The ban on beards is intended to improve discipline, neatness, and professional standards, not to limit religious rights. bosnainfo.ba · www.biscani.net · rtv-hb.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The decision was made following a unanimous agreement among police directors, chiefs, and commanders. bosnainfo.ba · www.biscani.net · rtv-hb.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Police officers are now prohibited from wearing beards, while hair and mustaches must be kept short and neat. bosnainfo.ba · www.biscani.net · rtv-hb.com