Bosnia and Herzegovina - May 2025

On 22 May, the Bosnian state court sentenced Vojin Pavlović, head of the NGO Eastern Alternative, to two and a half years in prison for genocide denial and glorifying war criminals. The ruling is one of the first genocide denial convictions in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). In 2023, Pavlović publicly displayed banners celebrating the anniversary of the Srebenica genocide and the birthday of Ratko Mladić, the former military commander convicted of genocide and other war crimes by the Hague Tribunal in 2017. The court cited incitement to hatred in its decision and argued that Pavlović’s actions created a sense of fear and insecurity among war victims and survivors. The presiding judge described the verdict as a significant step forward in addressing genocide denial. Genocide denial was included as an offence in BiH’s criminal code in 2021. The Association of Victims and Witnesses of Genocide has criticized the judiciary for not taking sufficient action to prosecute genocide denial under the legislation. The verdict can be appealed.

Sources: Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Balkan Insight (3), Balkan Insight (4), KosovaPress, Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina

On 21 May, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (RS) approved legislation under an urgent procedure halting public funding for political parties at the entity and local government levels. The law additionally increases the maximum thresholds for private contributions. The move follows a decision taken on 24 April by Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH)’s Office of the High Representative to suspend public funding to the ruling coalition in RS, including the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) and United Srpska parties, citing recent attacks on BiH’s constitutional order. The law was denounced by RS opposition parties as disproportionately harming smaller parties, undermining political pluralism and competition. Local NGOs have raised concerns that the law’s failure to specify prohibited sources of funding may lead to abuses. The OSCE Mission to BiH warned that the law risks expanding political corruption and leading to unequal treatment between governing and opposition parties. 

Sources: Balkan Insight (1), Balkan Insight (2), Constitution Net, Office of the High Representative (1), Office of the High Representative (2), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Barron’s, International IDEA, House of Human Rights