Work on the advancement of human rights of LGBT persons in BiH continues

Sarajevo Open Centre (SOC), in cooperation with Foundation Mediacentre Sarajevo, will continue its work and advocacy for the advancement of human rights of LGBT persons in BiH.

In the following two years SOC and Foundation Media Centre will organise several campaigns, round tables and workshops on the rights of LGBT persons and standards of the EU as a part of the EU funded project “Enhancing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans rights in BiH in line with EU standards”.

The report of the ILGA-Europe (European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) for 2014 states that homophobia and transphobia still remain widespread in BiH, however the authorities still do nothing do address the issues of discrimination and violence against LGBT persons in an adequate and responsible way.

Hate speech, hate crimes and violations of freedom of assembly and freedom of speech are most common issues that LGBT community faces. The ever present discrimination and intolerant surrounding, add to the already hard social and economical position of LGBT persons in BiH, which most of them share with others citizens of BiH.

The funds project “Enhancing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans rights in BiH in line with EU standards” in the amount of 174.840 EUR/341.957, 31 KM from European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR 2013). Through this project, SOC and Foundation Mediacentre Sarajevo will work on addressing many issues in order to contribute to the advancement of human rights of LGBT persons in BiH.

For more information, please contact:
Saša Gavrić, Executive Director, Sarajevo Open Centre
Vladana Vasić, Programme Coordinator, Sarajevo Open Centre
Slobodanka Dekić, Senior Project Coordinator, Foundation Mediacentar Sarajevo