Response by the Delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Questionnaire on the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security

The OSCE Secretariat bears no responsibility for the content of this document FSC.EMI/58/25 and circulates it without altering its content. The distribution by OSCE 15 April 2025 Conference Services of this document is without prejudice to OSCE decisions, as set out in documents agreed by OSCE participating States. ENGLISH only  QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE CODE OF CONDUCT ON POLITICO-MILITARY ASPECTS OF SECURITY

Section I: Inter-State elements

1. Account of measures to prevent and combat terrorism

1.1 To which agreements and arrangements (universal, regional, sub-regional and bilateral) related to preventing and combating terrorism is your State a party?

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) has made considerable progress in increasing its Counterterrorism (CT) capacities by approximating its legislation to the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) standards. It is a party to a large number of international treaties, conventions, agreements, arrangements, and resolutions attempting to efficiently regulate the prevention and combating of terrorism, terrorist financing, and the prevention of proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. BIH has also signed and ratified a series of UN Conventions and Protocols on the fight against terrorism and has committed itself to implementing various UN Security Council Resolutions. BIH supports full implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the activities of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the UN Security Council. As a member of the Council of Europe, BIH is signatory to several conventions on the fight against terrorism. BIH actively participates in the Council of Europe's initiative on the fight against terrorism, in the Committee of Experts on Terrorism (CODEXTER), the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism (MONEYVAL), and it has entered the Third Evaluation Round of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO). BIH is strongly committed to cooperating with the EU to prevent and combat terrorism, and action is continuously being taken to approximate the relevant national legislation with the EU standards, to enhance institutional capabilities, and to coordinate operational activities with the EU Member States. BIH makes considerable efforts in the prevention of, and combat against terrorism in the framework of regional and bilateral cooperation. BIH cooperates in the context of regional organizations such as Regional Cooperation Council (RCC); the RACVIAC Centre for Security Cooperation; the Migration, Asylum Regional Refugees Initiative (MARRI); the South East Europe Cooperation Initiative (SECI), Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE) as well as other regional organizations. Socio-economic goals, such as reducing poverty and inequality, improving education and providing opportunities to the young generation are crucial in preventing terrorism. Eliminating 1 the effects of prejudice and xenophobia in our societies and communities remains essential in countering the spread of violent extremist ideology. The full list of agreements and arrangements, related to preventing and combating terrorism to which BIH is a party to, can be found in Annex I. 1.2 What national legislation has been adopted in your State to implement the agreements and arrangements mentioned above?

BIH’s objective is to establish conditions providing a secure, peaceful and safe life for all citizens in BIH, free from violence and fear, as well as a creative and prosperous economic environment. In order to achieve this objective, the development of comprehensive, national measures for the prevention of all forms of terrorism remains a high priority for BIH. List of legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina related to democratic control of armed forces and combating terrorism and terrorism-related activities can be found in Annex I. In this section we would like to point out some of the legislative acts brought by BIH authorities recently. The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CoM BIH) at its 57th session, held on November 9, 2022 adopted the Decision on the adoption of the Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the prevention and fight against terrorism for the period 2021-2026. This is a strategic document that defines the goals, principles and measures that Bosnia and Herzegovina must undertake, as well as the time frame for their implementation in the field of prevention and the fight against terrorism. The vision of the Strategy is the establishment of an efficient, structured, coherent, anticipatory and sustainable mechanism for the prevention of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism at all levels of government in BiH. The CoM BIH, at its 20th session, held on August 23, 2023, adopted the Decision on the adoption of the Action plan for the implementation of the Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the prevention and fight against terrorism for the period 2021-2026. The CoM BIH, at its 26th session, held on October 10, 2023, adopted the Decision on the formation of the Coordination Body for monitoring the implementation of the Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the prevention and fight against terrorism and the Action plans envisaged by it for the period 2021-2026. Individual action plans were also adopted for the implementation of the Strategy by the entities (FBIH and RS) and Brčko District. The Government of the Brcko District also formed the Coordination Body for monitoring the implementation of the Action Plan, which was operational during the year 2024. The Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities was adopted in both houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and published in the Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina No. 13/24. This law carried out: a) Harmonization with Directives and Regulations of the European Union in the area of prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorist activities.

2  b) The results of the analysis and assessment of the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other strategic documents in the field of the fight against organized crime. c) Harmonization of the system of prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorism with the standards and recommendations of the Working Group for Financial Measures Against Money Laundering - FATF, and the recommendations of MONEYVAL from the last round of evaluation.

BIH has established a legal framework, which is mostly in line with prescribed international standards. It continues on its path towards the EU by approximating its national legislation with both European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) instruments and standards. BIH has established wide-ranging and adequate standards in its Criminal Code, with regards to the prevention and combat against terrorism and terrorism-related activities, to counter this threat effectively. In accordance with the Agreement on Mutual Assistance and Operational Cooperation in the Fight against Terrorism, inter-agency cooperation regarding cooperation and coordination of activities in the fight against terrorism continues to be effective at all levels. The Operational Group for Combating Terrorism, a permanent body of the signatory parties, continues its work, with regular meetings at its headquarters in the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA). The Parties to this Agreement are SIPA, the Intelligence and Security Agency (OSA), the Border Police (BP), the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies (DCPB), as well as the police of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBIH), the Republika Srpska (RS), and the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BD). The Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina pays particular attention to the criminal offenses related to the terrorism and the financing of terrorist activities. The ‘Law on Amending the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina’ prohibits and sanctions participation of citizens of BIH on foreign battlefields, and it supplemented BIH’s criminal law framework concerning the fight against terrorism, by opening additional possibilities for the police and judicial bodies to investigate and prosecute individuals and groups who decide to join foreign paramilitary or para-police formations. It also criminalizes those who encourage, support, finance or in any other way assist foreign terrorist fighters. Furthermore, it refers to the activities of procuring or facilitating resources, removing obstacles, creating plans or passing agreements, which create favourable conditions for committing these criminal acts, as well as instigating, supporting, financing or assisting, in any other relevant way, individuals or groups in joining the aforementioned illegal formations. It implements the provisions of UNSCR 2178, underlining the threat of the foreign terrorist fighter and international flow of foreign terrorist fighters. BIH has continued to reaffirm its commitment to fight and prevent terrorism by co-sponsoring UNSCR 2178. In addition to these Articles, the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina deals precisely with terrorism and there are a number of other Articles that are also significant to the fight against terrorism. These Articles deal with: the taking of hostages, endangering internationally protected persons, illicit trafficking in arms and military equipment, illicit procurement and disposal of nuclear material, piracy, hijacking an aircraft or a ship, endangering the safety of

3 air traffic and maritime navigation, destruction of signal devices utilized for safety of air traffic, misuse of telecommunication signals, illicit trade, illicit manufacturing, etc. In addition to several related Articles, the listed Articles clearly indicate that general provisions of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina also provide for the criminalization of incitement, being an accessory or accomplice, and similar types of activities aforementioned, which can also be applied to other criminal offenses as well. The Law on Travel Documents of Bosnia and Herzegovina regulates the type and form of travel documents of BIH, the authorities responsible for issuing the said travel documents, the procedure for their issuance, the personalization of BIH travel documents and central registry. A biometric passport of Bosnia and Herzegovina (civil, diplomatic and service passport) has been issued since October 15, 2009, in compliance with the Law on Travel Documents of BIH. The Law on Identity Cards of Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina stipulates that the citizens of BIH can use their Identity Card (ID) for crossing state limits in certain circumstances and be subjected to the conditions laid down by international agreement between BIH and other countries. The protective elements that are included in the IDs are fully compliant with EU recommendations. The process of ID card issuance itself involves the implementation of recommendations and standards applied in the process of issuing passports. The technology of producing these electronic IDs, additionally reduces the risk of document falsification. 1.3 What are the roles and missions of military, paramilitary and security forces and the police in preventing and combating terrorism in your State?

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the fight against terrorism is a complex process that requires the coordination of several institutions, both at the state, entity and local levels. The roles and missions of the military, paramilitary, security forces and the police in preventing and fighting terrorism are different and defined by law and competences.

The Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina (MOS) is the main security institution at the state level. The MOS has seven constituent parts: 1) the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina (DCPB). 2) the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BP). 3) the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA). 4) the Forensic Examination and Expertise Agency. 5) the Agency for Education and Professional Training (AEPTM). 6) the Police Support Agency. 7) the Service for Foreigners' Affairs. MOS is responsible for: the protection of international borders; the prevention of terrorism; the tracking and tracing of perpetrators of terrorist criminal offenses; the prevention of drug trafficking, human trafficking and the counterfeiting of domestic and foreign currencies; and other criminal offenses with an international or inter-entity element. Furthermore, MOS is also responsible for the protection of persons and facilities, collection and use of data relevant for the security of BIH, and organization and harmonization of activities of the ministries of interior of the entities and BD in accomplishing security tasks in the interest of BIH. MOS

4 adopts protection and rescue plans and programs, implements BIH immigration and asylum policy and regulates procedures concerning movement and stay of foreigners in the country. The Department for the Fight against Terrorism (DFAT) is part of the MOS, and it monitors the implementation of international conventions, and it is responsible for international cooperation. Furthermore, DFAT drafts new legal regulation on the fight against terrorism and supervises the timely and effective implementation of laws and regulations relating to the suppression of terrorism. It is in charge of the suppression of the activities of groups smuggling weapons for terrorist groups and nuclear, chemical and biological weapons, financing terrorism or groups supporting it, in particular those suspected of being connected with other types of organized crime. In this respect, DFAT cooperates with the agencies within the MOS, other institutions, and relevant international organizations. The Service for Foreigners' Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an administrative organization with operative independence within the MOS is mandated to solve migration issues, and it deals primarily with the supervision and control over the movement and stay of foreigners in BIH, while significantly contributing to all aspects of security of BIH, which is very demanding and complex. Within its operational and inspection functions, it provides operational information on all types of irregular migration and irregular migrants on an operational basis, supervises and controls the stay of foreigners in the event of their misuse and illegal use of residence and in the event of their threat to public order or national security of the country from certain categories of foreigners. Inter-agency cooperation and information- exchange is a precondition for the effective prevention and fight against terrorism, illegal migration, smuggling, human trafficking and other forms of organized crime. Bearing this in mind, the Service coordinates daily activities, and initiates and realizes daily official cooperation with other law enforcement agencies in the territory of BIH, as well as the Prosecutor's Offices, international and NGO organizations. The Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies (DCPB) is an administrative organization within the MOS, with operational autonomy, whose work is regulated by the Law on Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina and on Agencies for Support to Police Structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the field of prevention and fight against terrorism, the DCPB communicates, cooperates and exchanges data among the police bodies, and other relevant bodies of BIH, and also with the relevant foreign and international bodies. The DCPB applies the best European and other international practices relating to police matters in BIH, as well as organizing and performing the physical and technical protection of VIPs and facilities of BIH institutions and diplomatic and consular institutions. Also, the DCPB gathers, monitors, analyses, and uses data of relevance for the security of BIH. In the segment of international operational police cooperation, communication and cooperation has been achieved through the DCPB, as well as the exchange of data with the member states of Interpol, SELEC and law enforcement agencies in BIH. Regarding the cooperation with EUROPOL, from June 14, 2023, EUROPOL's protected communication system SIENA exists as part of the National Joint Contact Point at the address Trg BiH 1. The main operational agency for the fight against terrorism at the state level is the State Investigation and Protection Agency – SIPA.

5 The Section for Combating Terrorism and ABC Weapons Trafficking within Criminal Investigation Department of the State Investigation and Protection Agency prevents, detects, and investigates terrorist crimes and crimes involving illegal trafficking of nuclear materials and chemical-biological weapons. It analyses the crime phenomena in this area, plans and executes police activities in solving the most complex cases, monitors, analyses, coordinates, and actively participates in actions in the most complex cases handled by regional offices. It analyses the conditions and circumstances of the occurrence of these types of crimes and proposes preventive measures, prepares necessary work plans, submits reports, information, and other analytical materials, fosters necessary internal cooperation, and collaborates with external entities as needed. It conducts instructional supervision and provides expert support in cases handled in regional offices and performs other tasks in accordance with the law. Police officers of SIPA actively participate in the work of the Anti-Terrorism Task Force and Anti-Terrorism Operational Task Force. Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BP BIH) is the first law enforcement agency established at the state level (established on 1st June 2000; full operationalization on 30th September 2002.). BP BIH is an administrative organization within the MOS, with operational independence, established to carry out police tasks related to the surveillance and control of crossing of the BiH border and other activities prescribed by law. In its work, BP BIH applies, above all, the basic laws: The Law about Border police, the Law on Border Control, the Law on Police Officials of BIH, the Law on Foreigners of BIH, the Law on Asylum of BIH, the Law on Civil Service in the Institutions of BIH, etc. Information on the movements of persons and the crossing of the state border was continuously provided to the competent agencies, some of which refer to the crossing of the state border by persons who may be linked to terrorism. At the request of other agencies, information was provided on travel documents and persons who were in their company, vehicles used when crossing the state border, etc. Analysing the statistical indicators for the year 2024, it can be concluded that, compared to the same period last year, a decrease in migration pressure by about 17% was recorded. A significant part of the measures was implemented with the aim of improving border protection to prevent or minimize the possible entry of persons of security interest. The border police assist other police forces in BiH (MUPs, Directorate for the Coordination of Police Authorities, SIPA, etc.). To combat terrorists’ threats, the Intelligence-Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (OSA) has an important role. OSA is continuously dedicated to strengthening and development of capacities to efficiently combat terrorism and to adequately address all the threats to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Agency is continually improving its educational and personnel capacities necessary for the early identification, detection and suppression of all the factors which can lead to terrorism. The strengthening of the capacities is reflected in the segment of constant cooperation at the state and international level, and, inter alia, through the participation in the various international and domestic platforms for training and exchange of experience. In order to achieve the preconditions for a successful fight against terrorism, the Task Force for the Fight against Terrorism, which operates under the leadership of the Office of the

6 Prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is the leading supporter of the cooperation between police agencies in BIH. Under the Law on the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH and BiH police support agencies, the Agency for Education and Professional Training (AEPTM) is responsible for: a) Developing, harmonizing and proposing curricula and training programs to accommodate the needs of BiH law enforcement agencies and other security services and agencies. b) Organizing and carrying out education and professional development and specialized training programs for members of BiH police agencies and other security services and agencies (basic, specialized, on-going and other forms of police training), including: 1) Education of BiH police members at level I to obtain the rank of police officer. 2) Education of BiH police members at level II to obtain the rank of junior inspector. 3) Training courses for members of agencies that protect people and property. 4) Training for members of detective agencies. 5) Professional training (courses, seminars etc.). c) Development of research and publishing activities and contribution to the improvement and modernization of police work. d) Library operations. e) Relevant documentation and record keeping.

At the state level, as well as at the level of entities (FBIH and RS - in 2015 the RS Ministry of the Interior established the Administration for Countering Terrorism and Extremism which is organizationally divided into the Counterterrorism and Extremism Unit and the Prevention and Analytics Unit) and BD, the roles of the police agencies in BIH, with regard to the prevention and combating of terrorism, include: - Exchange of information, coordination, and cooperation between all security agencies. - Investigation of cases characterized as terrorism. - Criminal-intelligence operations. - Initiatives for amendments to the legislative framework due to the needs related to the fight against terrorism. - Security assessments and analyses. - Protection of witnesses and other persons who can provide valuable information about potential terrorist activities as well as their consequences. - Initiative to simplify the procedures for the use of special investigative techniques when there is suspicion that a terrorist act might happen. - Detection and prevention of terrorism, financing of the terrorism, taking hostages, illicit manufacture and trafficking of weapons and explosives, criminal organizations. - Education of officers on the issues related to the fight against terrorism and financing of terrorism, with a special emphasis on new forms of terrorism. - Protection of members of foreign offices in our country. - Prevention through intelligence activities, including all levels of police structures, and particularly through community policing. - Prevention of terrorism by acting directly with the aim of eliminating terrorist groups and detecting and breaking down organized terrorist networks. 7 - Monitoring of radical groups whose behaviour can lead to any form of violence. - Preventive measures through prevention of support and recruitment (to terrorist causes) in sensitive and isolated communities. - Resolving hostage situations by releasing the hostages. - Detection of environmental pollution caused by waste and poisonous materials. The role of the police forces during the last year has remained unchanged. The Police collects information, analyses and if there is a case of committed criminal act without prejudice the prosecutor’s office is informed and legal follow up actions are being taken under the supervision of the prosecutor’s office in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of BIH and FBiH, as well as all other legal regulations (Law on FBiH Police Officers, Law on FBiH Internal Affairs). The Police Administration of FBIH’s police officers, in accordance with the given laws and under the supervision of the prosecutor's office which is within the jurisdiction, take measures and actions in order to prevent and detect criminal offenses of terrorism, to find and apprehend suspects that are linked to terrorism and their apprehension by the competent authorities. According to the provisions of the Law on Internal Affairs of the Federation of BiH, the primary responsibility of the FUP (Federal Police Administration) is “direct implementation of measures for the prevention and detection of criminal acts of terrorism,” and this is regulated by the Rulebook on internal organization and job classification, which came into effect on 29.07.2024. Organizationally, the Sector for the Fight Against Terrorism and Complex Crime was established, which is responsible for detecting and preventing terrorism, illegal trafficking of nuclear, chemical, and biological substances, and all forms of terrorist activity in accordance with the competencies of the Department for the Fight Against Terrorism. Its responsibilities include: • locating and apprehending perpetrators of criminal acts and handing them over to the competent authorities • coordinating all activities related to recorded cases with Cantonal Ministries of Internal Affairs in the field • monitoring and analysing the state, trends, and emerging forms of terrorism-related criminal activity and illegal trade in nuclear, chemical, and biological substances • undertaking organized operational-tactical measures and activities aimed at collecting security-relevant data about persons, groups, and organizations suspected of being involved in terrorism. For the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AF BIH), the fight against terrorism presents a component of its mission, which stipulates participation in operations of collective security, peace support operations, and self-defence. The defence policy of BIH specifies terrorism as one of the main challenges and risks for the safety of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The military doctrine of the AF of BIH specifically highlights that the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity includes the fight against terrorism. Such doctrine implies that the AF of BIH take measures of self-protection, cooperate with other security forces internally and externally (such as OSCE participating States, partners in the NATO Partnership for Peace program and NATO Members) in the processes of detection, investigation, and 8 counter-terrorism measures. A Military-Intelligence Branch exists within the AF of BIH and works on timely detection of terrorist activities, on military-controlled areas, as well as developing preventative measures. Within its structure, there is no designated counterterrorism (CT) unit, but the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina can engage it by its order to conduct activities to combat terrorism. In 2024, the Agency for Education and Professional Training of Personnel (AEPTM) in cooperation with the NATO Defence Education Enhancement Program (NATO DEEP – Defence Education Enhancement Programme), which was approved at the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels in February 2023, completed the activities of developing curricula in the field of the fight against terrorism with the aim of implementing and maintaining an effective and efficient strategic level of education and training programs. Three curricula were developed for the needs of the State Agency for Investigation and Protection (Prevention and suppression of terrorism - professional training for police officers of the State Agency for Investigation and Protection, the Border Police of BIH (Preventing and combating terrorism - professional training for police officers of the BIH Border Police) and the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BIH (Prevention and suppression of terrorism - professional training for police officers of the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BIH). Counter-terrorism curricula are based on NATO's Counter-Terrorism Reference Curriculum (CTRC) with the aim of educating, training and placing the most prepared people in the right places and jobs at the right time. Based on the adopted curriculum AEPTM organized and conducted a training entitled Prevention and Suppression of Terrorism for Police Officers of the State Investigation and Protection Agency. 1.4. Provide any additional relevant information on national efforts to prevent and combat terrorism, e.g.

- Financing of terrorism

In the overall process of the fight against terrorism Bosnia and Herzegovina has recognized the financing of terrorism as a serious threat and therefore measures are being applied to prevent the use of the domestic and international financial system. Certain laws and strategic documents were adopted for these purposes, and some of them were mentioned earlier in section 1.2. The Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities of Bosnia and Herzegovina was adopted on February 19, 2024, and it has been aligned with EU directives. The Law obligates all financial institutions to: - reports of suspicious transactions that can be linked to the financing of terrorism, - identify clients and keep documentation on transactions and clients that are linked to the financing of terrorism and terrorist activities. - regulate the area of prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorist activities in accordance with the acquis Communautaire. Considering the enactment of the new Law, the Council of Ministers of BiH (“Official Gazette of BiH”, No. 49/24), appointed a Working Group to draft a Proposal for the Rulebook on the

9 Implementation of the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorist Activities. Also, it is important to emphasize that there are lists of sanctioned persons and organizations with whom business is prohibited and which are linked to the financing of terrorism. When it comes to international cooperation, it is important to emphasize that Bosnia and Herzegovina cooperates with the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and MONEYVAL bodies of the Council of Europe in efforts to prevent and fight terrorism, to which it submits reports on progress in the implementation of measures against money laundering and terrorist financing. Therefore, the security sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina is taking serious and systemic steps in the fight against terrorism, with a focus on: - prevention of radicalization, - legislative and institutional reforms, - financial control and monitoring of suspicious money flows, - international cooperation and training.

The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina has at its 37th session, held on February 1, 2024. adopted the Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism in Bosnia and Herzegovina related to Virtual Assets and the Action Plan for Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism in BiH Related to Virtual Assets in 2024 - 2027. This Assessment represents the first comprehensive review of this sector by institutions from all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The adoption of the Assessment is of the broadest importance for the entire society and economy of BiH and represents an important step in fulfilling FATF's recommendations and shows a clear commitment of BiH in the fight against all forms of AML/CFT. The preparation of the Assessment results from BiH's obligations according to FATF recommendations, especially recommendation number (15), which requires countries to identify, assess and understand the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing associated with VA and the activities of VASPs. This Assessment provides a basis for implementing a risk-based approach to ensure that preventive and mitigating measures are proportionate to the identified money laundering and terrorist financing risks. It also aims to inform the competent bodies and institutions about the determination of priorities, as well as the actions that should be taken in order to prevent or mitigate the identified risks of money laundering and terrorist financing related to VA/VASP. The action plan contains a number of measures to neutralize and mitigate the identified risks of money laundering and terrorism. Earlier in March of 2023, the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Supplement to the assessment of the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2022-2024, and the Action Plan for the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2022-2024. Competent authorities at the state level and the level of entities conducted a comprehensive analysis of the risks to which the system of combating money laundering and financing of terrorist activities in BiH is exposed, with the aim of providing assistance to the competent authorities and levels of government so that the measures they undertake in the fight against money laundering and financing of terrorist activities are commensurate with the identified risks. 10 The Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the prevention and fight against terrorism for the period 2021-2026, as a fundamental goal sets effective prevention and opposition to all forms of terrorism, i.e. violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, while respecting the values of democracy, rule of law, human rights and basic freedoms. Accordingly, the Strategy is implemented through four strategic goals: Prevention, Protection, Improvement and Response/Reaction. Efficient fight against money laundering and terrorism financing, including security risks that may be generated from such illicit activities, requires synergy of legal frames, international cooperation, use of technology and proactive monitoring approach. All participants, from financial institutions to state bodies, have to cooperate so to minimize the risk of serious threats against security and financial system. Some security indicators, that deserve further and comprehensive approach to solving this problem, have been identified. However, current information shows no cases of organized terrorism financing in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Intelligence-Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (OSA) is not in possession of information indicating that in 2024 the legal means (e.g. gained through trade or other lucrative activities, humanitarian organizations) were used for terrorism financing. The steps including clear legal frame and legislation that regulates the issue of money laundering and terrorism financing, which has to be in compliance with international standards and FATF recommendations (International standards for preventing money laundering, terrorism financing and dissemination of weapon for mass destruction), have been identified as the key steps in establishing an efficient system. International cooperation in the frame of transnational issue of money laundering and terrorism financing includes cooperation with international agencies, such as INTERPOL, EUROPOL and UN. The Financial Intelligence Department (FID) in SIPA is the financial intelligence unit operating in accordance with binding international standards on the prevention and fight against money laundering and financing of terrorist activities. In addition to the Law on SIPA, tasks and competence of FID are provided for by the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities, based on which the department receives, collects, records and analyses data, information and documents as well as investigates and submits the findings of the analyses and/or investigations, data and documents to prosecutor’s offices and other relevant authorities in BIH and abroad. FID performs the tasks pertaining to the prevention of money laundering and financing of terrorist activities, promotes cooperation between the relevant authorities of BIH, FBIH, RS and BD as well as with the relevant authorities of other countries and international organizations. Also, the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities, provides a special power not only to the FID but SIPA as well and the entire system of combating organized and economically motivated crime in BIH. In case of a suspicion of money laundering or financing of terrorist activities, the FID with strong mechanisms of personal and secret data protection and for the purpose of performing its duties or for the prosecutor’s offices, law enforcement agencies and foreign financial intelligence units, independently, without a court or prosecutorial order, may:

11  • collect necessary information and documentation from financial and non-financial institutions and all state-level authorities in BIH, • in compliance with the principles of the Egmont Group, collect / provide information within international cooperation from / to all 146 financial intelligence units, members of the Egmont Group, • issue an order to suspend (block) transactions for up to five working days, • order financial institutions to monitor and report on financial operations of a client, for up to six months. FID is involved in all major investigations into organized and economically motivated crime in BIH by providing available and/or collected information, carrying out complex financial analyses, providing expert support to prosecutors by participating in investigation teams, or direct guidance of investigations of money laundering / financing of terrorist activities. FID is involved in the training of employees of financial and non-financial institutions in BIH, prosecutor’s offices and law enforcement agencies. The FID is responsible for indirect overseeing all financial and non-financial institutions in BIH that are subject to the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities as well as to conduct direct supervision over certain categories of obligors under the Law, and to actively cooperate with banking agencies and other supervisory authorities. Officials of the FID chair the Working Group of BIH Institutions for Preventing Money Laundering and Financing Terrorist Activities while it also has a leading role in drafting laws, secondary legislation and strategic documents in this area. Moreover, the FID has a leading role in representing BIH in the Council of Europe Moneyval Committee and similar international bodies adopting and/or evaluating compliance with binding standards on prevention and fight against money laundering and financing of terrorist activities. In September 2024 in Strasbourg, the meeting was held with about 20 representatives of various authorities and institutions in BIH (Border Police, SIPA, FID …) with the Moneyval delegation of BIH. The meeting discussed several segments of the Second Draft of the BiH Evaluation Report in more detail, with a focus on parts that need improvement. In addition, representatives of the Financial Intelligence Department of SIPA (FID), together with representatives of the Moneyval delegation of BiH and other relevant institutions in BiH, attended the 68th Plenary Session of the Moneyval Committee, at which the final Report for BiH was adopted, which included two “weak” efficiency ratings (relating to proliferation financing and restrictive measures in the field of terrorism and terrorist financing). The preliminary evaluation report was prepared according to the FATF Standard Methodology. On January 11, 2024, the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina published on their web site “the Summary of the Amendments to the Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2022–2024”, along with the corresponding Action Plan for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing for the same period. Following this publication, the Ministry of Security submitted a draft of updated activities under the Action Plan for the 2022–2024 period. Relevant institutions are expected to review and respond to these activities to help reduce the risks identified. Having this in mind the Financial Intelligence Department of SIPA (FID), conducted the 21st training/meeting with obliged entities (as defined in Article 5 of the Law), supervisory bodies, and sector associations.

12 In addition to the aforementioned, on February 5th, 2024, the following documents were also published on the official website of the MOS: “the 2024-2027 Risk Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing related to Virtual Assets” and “the 2024-2027 Action Plan for Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in Bosnia and Herzegovina related to Virtual Assets”. During the previous period, the CoM of BIH adopted a Decision to establish a Working Group for the preparation of the 2023-2027 Risk Assessment of Financing the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the 2023-2027 Action Plan for Combating the Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of BiH, No. 2/23). Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITA) continuously implements activities in accordance with the Recommendation 32 of the FATF, which refers to the supervision and control of cash transfers across the customs line of BIH.

- Border controls

The Border Police of BiH has established a centralized information system for border checks, for crossing the border, which enables the control of biometric documents, has the possibility of checks in all relevant databases for border checks, which include, among others, the databases of INTERPOL, IDDEEA, ROS, ISM, police agencies in BiH and the databases of the Border Police of BiH. In addition, during 2021, an improved version of the Border Check Application was put into production, during which 225 cameras were installed at 44 border crossings for automatic recognition and reading of license plates that were integrated into the Application. Currently, the Border Check Application is used at 68 border crossing points and a total of 250 fixed document readers, 11 mobile sets and 10 suitcases - mobile sets for accessing the border check application are in use, which enables faster data processing. When performing border checks, police officers of the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina act in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Border Control ("Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina", number: 53/09, 54/10, 47/14 and 07/25) and the provisions of the Rulebook on the manner of performing border checks and entering data into travel documents ("Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina", number: 103/14, and 84/16), during which, among other things, they are authorized to perform checks in search and other records, and to stop and detain a person for the time required for performing border checks. In the execution of these tasks, the police officers of the BP BiH apply the police powers prescribed by the Law on Police Officers of BiH ("Official Gazette of BiH", number 27/04, 63/04, 5/06, 58/06, 15/08, 63/08, 35/09, and 07/12). When performing detailed border checks, police officers of the BiH BP have direct access to search and other records, i.e. relevant databases, including the databases of other competent authorities and Interpol, and act in accordance with the ordered measures and information contained in the aforementioned databases.

13 Information on individuals of interest to the competent authorities of BIH were entered into the Information System of the BP BIH based on the written request of the competent authorities. When it comes to the control of persons who are on consolidated international lists, the Article 7 of the Law on the Application of Certain Temporary Measures for the Effective Implementation of the mandate of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and other international restrictive measures (Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina No. 25/06), stipulates that the Ministry of Security of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina establishes and manages a database of persons against whom international restrictive measures, i.e. temporary measures, have been introduced under the aforementioned Law. Article 2 of the same Law states that restrictive measures, among other things, provide for import or export restrictions and restrictions on entering the country, which BIH applies due to the implementation of internationally legally binding decisions of the United Nations or when it joins the restrictive measures of the European Union or in other cases in accordance with international law. Article 1, paragraph 3 of the Law states that the purpose of the law is to foresee in BIH the manner of implementation of resolutions of the United Nations Security Council or decisions of the European Union that provide for international restrictive measures. Therefore, in addition to the implementation of the decisions of the International Criminal Court for the former Yugoslavia, the subject of this law are also the decisions/resolutions of the Security Council and the European Union. Furthermore, according to the provisions of Article 5, paragraph (7) of the Instruction on the Register of Certain Foreigners (ROS) (hereinafter the Instruction) number: 06-02-1-6867/17- 14 dated June 11, 2018, it was determined that the data from Article 4, paragraph (1) point s) indent 1) of the Instructions are entered in the ROS database by the Sector for Informatics and Telecommunication Systems of the Ministry of Security of BIH, with the note that the same provision stipulates that the ROS records include data on "a foreigner who is the subject of international restrictive measures prohibiting entry or transit through Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Bosnia and Herzegovina is obliged to apply in order to implement international legally binding decisions of the United Nations or when it joins the restrictive measures of the European Union or in other cases in accordance with international law...". Considering that the police officers of the BP BIH, when performing detailed border checks, access the ROS database through the Application for border checks, with the aim of dealing with the persons in question, it is necessary to timely record data about them in the ROS database with clearly indicated measures for handling. Through the Application, BP BiH provides direct access to external and internal databases that are relevant for border checks. The external databases in which checks are carried out are: IDDEEA (verification of BiH documents), INTERPOL (FIND) - verification of persons, documents and vehicles, Ministry of Security - database of persons registered in connection with narcotic drugs, ISM - visa verification, verification of residence permits and imposed measures, ROS - register of certain foreigners - Foreign Affairs Service, FUP, PBD, MUP RS and SIPA - Agreement on electronic exchange of data - searches for persons, documents and vehicles, through the central point in the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, OSA-OBA - watch list of persons under surveillance. Internal databases in which checks are carried out are: searches - wanted persons, searches - missing persons, searches - documents, ban on the use of foreign driver's licenses, OIL - persons of 14 operational interest, OIV - vehicles of operational interest, violations of transport companies, denied entries, crossings in the last 24 hours. In the case that a person needs a visa, the validity of the visa is checked directly through the Application in the ISM visa module. The Border Police of BiH, together with the Service for Foreigners' Affairs, created a Framework Plan for joint action and cooperation between the Border Police of BiH and the Service for Foreigners' Affairs in order to combat illegal migration. The goal of joint action and cooperation is reflected, among other things, in undertaking joint activities aimed at detecting persons illegally crossing the state border, deterring persons from attempting to illegally cross the state border, handing the person over to the competent authorities of neighbouring states in the process of readmission under abbreviated procedure or placing the person in one of the institutions on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as enhanced control of persons and identification of cases that point to possible abuse of the visa-free regime (citizens of the Russian Federation, Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia, etc.). In accordance with the Framework Plan as well as the Supplements (Annex) of the Framework Plan, the following activities were implemented: • In January 2024 joint activities were carried out in the border zone in the area of operations of the Zvornik Border Police Unit. • In April 2024 joint activities were carried out in the border zone in the area of operations of the Višegrad Border Police Unit. • In July 2024 year, joint activities were carried out at the border crossing in the area of operation of the Border Police Unit Sarajevo airport on all flights, especially on flights from Istanbul, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and in the area of operation of the Border Police Unit Dobrljin. • In November 2024 joint activities were carried out at border crossings and the border zone in the area of operation of the Brod Border Police Unit.

Since the beginning of 2024, decrease in illegal migration intensity in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been registered. In addition to obvious decrease of migrants flows on the so called Balkan route, the current migration situation can still be assessed as a risky one, especially taking into account that new routes have been intensified. OSA BIH will continue to actively exchange the findings with domestic and international partner services. The Agency for Education and Professional Training (AEPTM) conducted the “Development of the curriculum and program for basic police training of cadets of the BiH Border Police - rank of police officer and junior inspector”. The cooperation between AEPTM and FRONTEX continued, resulting in the successful harmonization of the BiH Border Police cadet training curricula with FRONTEX's Common Core Curriculum 2022 (CCC2022). In the last quarter of 2024, the basic police training of 150 cadets of the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina began, and they are being trained according to the newly adopted curriculum. In 2024, the Agency for Education and Professional Development successfully completed the basic police training of 98 cadets for the rank of Police Officer and 22 cadets for the rank of Junior Inspector of the BiH Border Police, in accordance with the curriculum aligned with

15 FRONTEX's Common Core Curriculum 2020 (CCC 2020) for Basic Training of Border and Coast Guards. The AEPTM organized several trainings including “Training for the installation, operation and use of mobile systems for border surveillance”, “Use of specialized ATV vehicles in state border surveillance (basic training)”, “Combating theft, looting and illegal trade in cultural property” and “Joint capacity building efforts: Border protection with respect to human rights”. - Travel documents security

The Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina carried out the standardization of travel document readers using donations and their own resources. The information system of the BiH Border Police (ISGP) has been established at 68 border crossings (out of a total of 86), and 250 fixed document readers, 11 mobile sets and 10 suitcases - mobile sets for accessing the border control application are in use. In the first quarter of 2024, within the framework of the Western Balkan Capacity Building Instrument for Integrated Border Management (WBIBM) project, organized by the IOM, one- day trainings on the topic "Detecting imposters and falsified documents" were held in three locations (Livno, Mostar and Bijeljina), in which 90 police officers of the Border police of BIH participated. During the year 2024, police officers of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina temporarily confiscated 339 documents suspected of being forged, of which 221 documents were at the entrance to BiH, 106 documents at the exit from BiH and 12 documents at the border zone, which is a decrease of 9.1% compared to the same period last year when 373 documents were confiscated. Also, acting according to the requests of the internal organizational units of the BP BiH and the orders of the competent prosecutor's offices, a preliminary examination of 105 documents was carried out, of which it was determined that they were 97 forged documents, 7 original and 1 fantasy document, and 81 reports were drawn up on the examination and expert opinion on the authenticity of the documents. During 2024, police officers of the Border police of BiH, were continuously trained for detecting of forged documents. These courses were organized by police officers of the Border police of BiH which were trained previously by FRONTEX, also and courses which were held from partner agencies. In 2024 the following trainings and educations were held: • “Detecting of imposters and forged documents”, organized by IOM-WBIBM, in which 93 police officers of the Border police of BIH participated. • “Fraud document”, organized by the Embassy of France in Sarajevo , in which 15 police officers of the Border police of BIH participated. • “Facial Features for Imposter Detection”, in which 14 police officers of the Border police of BIH participated. - Container and supply chain security

In order to detect illegal migrants and illicit goods, in cooperation with Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITA BIH) at IBCPs, police officers of the BP of BIH 16 inspect trucks, whereby they use CO2 detectors, explosives detectors, endoscopes, BUSTER, NUCTECHTM MT Series mobile system for vehicle inspection, an innovative mobile X-ray control system, vehicle scanning and radioactivity monitoring. The Joint Container Control Unit (JCCCU)s, consisting of officers of the ITA BIH and the BP of BIH, continued to work under the United Nations Office on Drugs Control (UNODC) Program at the Customs Office/Border Crossing Point Bijača, BCP Gradiška and BCP Airport Sarajevo. Police officers of the BP of BIH, in cooperation with the officers of the ITA BIH, carry out container control activities in order to detect prohibited goods such as weapons, ammunitions, explosives and drugs. The institute of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) was implemented in 2022 with the entry into force of the new Customs Policy Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the new Decision on the Implementation of the Customs Policy Law in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2024, three (3) AEO applications have being processed. - Security of radioactive sources

The establishment of the State Regulatory Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (SRARNS) and strengthening of its capacities has created conditions for the implementation of treaties in the field of radioactive and nuclear material security, to which BIH is a contracting party. SRARNS oversees implementing these treaties under the Law on Radiation and Nuclear Safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina has ratified treaties which are listed in Annex I of this document. As the government partner of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the responsible authority for the implementation of international agreements in the nuclear field, SRARNS closely cooperates with the IAEA Department of Safeguards. In October 2024, IAEA inspectors conducted an inspection of nuclear material in Bosnia and Herzegovina at certain locations where nuclear material is stored. These inspections are carried out annually. The inspectors base their work on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s regular reports submitted to the IAEA Safeguards Department. These reports are related to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s obligations under the Safeguards Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the IAEA in connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, as well as the Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the IAEA. In 2024, SRARNS continued to report regularly to the IAEA Safeguards Department in accordance with its obligations. Continuous control of nuclear and radioactive materials in Bosnia and Herzegovina has conducted by state inspectors for radiation and nuclear safety throughout 2024. The "Regulation on the Security of Nuclear Material and Radioactive Sources," enacted in 2013, continued to be implemented in 2024. It is also important to note that in 2024, representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended several significant events related to nuclear security, including: • The Meetings of the IAEA Nuclear Security Guidance Committee. • The Twelfth Meeting of the IAEA Working Group on Radioactive Material Security. • The International Conference on Nuclear Security: Shaping the Future. 17 • The Technical Meeting of the Representatives of Parties to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and the CPPNM Amendment. At border crossing points, for the purpose of detecting radioactivity, manual pagers “Mini rad- D” are used to detect radioactivity, which are also used, as needed, for profiling. In addition to the pagers, the Yantar-2U radiation detection system, the Geiger-Miller counter and the like, are also used. The Indirect Taxation Authority continued its activities to improve the radiation safety of its owned equipment in 2024. In accordance with the regulations on radiation and nuclear safety, the Indirect Taxation Authority conducted regular monitoring and testing of devices that operate on the principle of generating X-rays. During 2024, the Indirect Taxation Authority continued with specialist training for work on radiation and nuclear materials detection systems. As part of these activities, an additional 12 officers successfully completed training for work on MDS vehicles, increasing the number of trained officers to 26, of which 10 are licensed as certified trainers. Each MDS vehicle is equipped with a PRD (personal radiation dosimeter), an Exploranium detection system, a source identifier, a mobile search backpack and a fixed portal with the associated software. In addition, the Indirect Taxation Authority conducted regular maintenance and calibration of all radiation detection equipment during 2024, ensuring its full functionality and compliance with safety standards. - Use of Internet and other information networks in the terrorist purposes

Digital revolution which in the previous years has experienced its expansion has contributed to the significant transformation of the society, as well as to the phenomenon of new security challenges, such as online radicalization. Internet has become a main platform for spreading of the propaganda messages of different content, radicalization, recruitment and eventual planning of terrorist activities. Therefore, social networks and communication apps have intensified propaganda impact of terrorist and extremist organizations that gained simple access to broader targeted public. The phenomenon of self-radicalized young people, often minors whose indicative online activities drew attention of security bodies, has been identified as the special risk. Terrorist and rightist organizations propaganda, especially via Internet, is the main source of radicalization and inspiration for the recruiting of new sympathizers. Special challenge is that younger and younger individuals get radicalized online, while is ever more difficult to detect online activities due to numerous apps, including encrypted ones. The institutional measures for development and implementation of the means and methods for gathering and Analysing intelligence in cyber space have been continuously implemented. To this end, it was continued with monitoring of the phenomena and identifying individuals who misuse the Internet for possible terrorist purposes, or who promote and support terrorist activities and ideology through spreading of hatred and knowledge about possible perpetrating of terrorist acts, threatening or spreading unrests and propaganda.

18 As part of their regular activities, SIPA intelligence officials and investigators engaged in combating terrorism and proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) weapons, also they actively monitor and analyse online activities that may be linked to terrorism, including the spread of extremist propaganda and recruitment. Subsequently they undertake other investigative activities in cooperation with the Prosecutor's Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina. When it comes to legislative measures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina foresees, among other things, penalties for public invitations to terrorist acts via the Internet and organizing or assisting terrorist activities using information networks Also, the Strategy of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the prevention and fight against terrorism 2021-2026 includes in its part the area of combating the misuse of communication and information technologies. Bosnia and Herzegovina also actively works to suppress hate speech and restrict access to content that encourages or justifies violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism. Therefore, institutional measures are continually executed for development and appliance of means and methods of gathering and analysing of intelligence in cyber space. Efforts are also made to fully implement international standards in the field of cyber security in order to monitor and suppress the misuse of the Internet for terrorist purposes. In accordance with the Strategy for combating cybercrime in RS, an Action plan for countering cybercrime for the period 2023-2024, and an Action Plan for Protection against Child Pornography for the period 2023-2024 and Action plan of Digital Forensics in RS for the period 2023-2024 are adopted and are still in power.

- Legal co-operation including extradition

Issues of extradition and all other forms of international legal assistance are regulated by the provisions of the Law on International Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, as well as by the provisions of relevant multilateral European and UN Conventions in the field of criminal law, to which BIH is also a signatory. This includes the provisions of international bilateral agreements BIH took over from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) with the Notification on the succession of the former SFRY, as well as international bilateral agreements concluded by BIH with other countries. Competent judicial bodies of BIH, including the Ministry of Justice of BIH, as the central body of BIH in the procedures of providing international legal assistance, achieved a high level of cooperation with Interpol BIH in the implementation of cases of international legal assistance, especially in cases related to extradition. There were no changes in the institutional arrangements. All information about international agreements concluded by BIH, which concern international legal assistance, is available on the website of the Ministry of Justice of BIH (http://www.mpr.gov.ba).

19  - Safe havens and shelter to terrorists and terrorist organizations

Bosnia and Herzegovina actively works on identifying and eliminating potential safe havens for terrorists within its borders through coordination between security agencies and international cooperation. Possible activity of some terrorist organization, or organized group whose activities might be associated with terrorist operations, has not been registered in 2024 in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, no activities have been registered that might be characterized as possible training in terrorism. No terrorist act happened in BIH in 2024. In 2024, the return of a single foreign fighter from Syria was documented, and a final verdict in his case is still pending. Additionally, two citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina returned from the battlefield in Ukraine. SIPA submitted a report on the committed criminal offense, suspecting that they had violated Article 162b of the Criminal Code of Bosnia and Herzegovina by illegally forming or joining foreign paramilitary or parapolice formations. During 2024, there were recorded instances of individuals departing to warzones in Ukraine. 2. Stationing of armed forces on foreign territory

2.1 Provide information on the stationing of your States armed forces on the territory of other participating States in accordance with freely negotiated agreements as well as in accordance with international law.

In accordance with its commitment, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) actively contributes to the efforts of the UN, NATO and EU peacekeeping operations to maintain international peace, security, and stability. BIH deploys police and military officers, as well as civilians in UN missions helping countries to find the difficult path from conflict to peace. The deployment of police officers and members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AF BIH) in peacekeeping operations is regulated by the Law on Deployment of Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Police Officers, Civil Servants and Other Employees in Peacekeeping Operations and other Activities in Foreign Countries and by the Rules of Procedures for Deployment of Police Officers of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Peacekeeping Operations and other Activities Abroad. The Intelligence-Security Agency (OSA) is an important link in Bosnia and Herzegovina security sector in providing continuous intelligence support to our country’s military and police forces being deployed in UN and EU peacekeeping missions. In this way, and primarily through cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ministry of Defence, the Agency constantly assists in timely detection of the threats against the areas, routes, facilities and units in which the peacekeepers from our country are deployed, contributing in that way not only to their security, but to the security of peace forces deployed in that area in general. The successful completion of the previous missions in Ethiopia-Eritrea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali and Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the current engagement in Central African Republic, confirms the readiness and the ability of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate equally with allies and partners in very complex collective security operations. 20 In accordance with UN Resolutions and Decisions by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are currently deployed in: EU mission EUTM RCA in Central African Republic. BiH contribution in this mission is with 1 officer and 2 NCO (15th rotation) deployed to mission in February 2025.

3. Implementation of other international commitments related to the Code of Conduct

3.1 Provide information on how your State ensures that commitments in the field of arms control, disarmament and confidence- and security-building as an element of indivisible security are implemented in good faith.

Fully aware that the primary aim of arms control and disarmament is saving lives, Bosnia and Hercegovina (BIH) is committed to arms control and disarmament in all its aspects. Illicit trade of conventional arms affects regional and international security and stability because millions of people suffer from the direct and indirect consequences of the irresponsible arms trade, which fuel conflicts and human rights abuses. Globalization of the arms trade allowed production and assembly of conventional weapons all over the world with little control. BIH supports well-regulated and transparent trade of conventional arms and welcomes the progress made with the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) as the first legally binding treaty to regulate the international trade in conventional weapons. By ratification of the ATT, BIH has confirmed its commitment to the strengthening of global and regional peace, security, and stability. By Article 13 of the ATT, BIH submitted an initial and annual reports. Furthermore, BIH established national control mechanism and harmonized domestic legislation with the provisions of the ATT. BIH has advocated the universalization of the ATT and its effective implementation. In line with the UN Program of Action (POA), BIH formed the National Coordination Committee for Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) aiming to ensure the control of SALW throughout the country. The Strategy for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period from 2021 until 2024 has been adopted. The primary objectives of the implementation of the Strategy 2021-2024 are that BIH shall meet the challenge of illicit trade of SALW by strengthening the capacity of police and judicial structures in the country and the cooperation with the relevant international, regional and non- governmental organizations. BIH is part of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024, developed with the support of the EU and the governments of Germany and France, and its adopted Action Plan. Activities from the Action Plan are being implemented in BIH, which will certainly contribute to the creation of a safer environment in our country.

21 At the request of CB SALW and the BP BIH, the implementation of the "Counter Illicit Arms Trafficking (CIAT) Project" continued. The project aims to improve the capacity of the BP BIH to combat the illegal arms trade through BIH and beyond. This project is working on the development of a database on the transport of legal weapons, the improvement of the Small Arms and Light Weapons Identification Platform (SALW), the procurement of specialist border control equipment, and the strengthening of inter-institutional cooperation. This project is supported by the UNDP Office in Sarajevo through the Multilateral Fund for the Western Balkans. In the organization of the MOS BIH and the AEPTM, with the professional support of the Regional Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Southeast Europe (SEESAC), Training for representatives of the criminal police on the detection of firearms was organized and conducted. The aim of the training was to strengthen the capacity of the criminal police in the fight against illegal trade and possession of firearms. At the request of KO SALW and the competent authorities in BIH, the implementation of the "Project for the Prevention of Illicit Trade and Trafficking in Arms in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Halting Arms and Lawbreaking Trade - HALT)" continued. The project has been implemented since February 2020, as a joint project of the United Nations Development Program in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNDP BiH) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with the general goal of further improving security inside and outside the Western Balkans through targeted action. aimed at improving the capacity of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the fight against illegal trade in small arms and light weapons. The project is extended until 2028. The project is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, the Kingdom of Sweden, the French Republic, the Netherlands and the Kingdom of Norway through the Multilateral Fund for the Western Balkans, supported by the European Union and the Western Balkans Small Arms and Light Weapons Map. Project activities are carried out in cooperation with the ITA BiH as the main beneficiary of this project, and certain activities within the project include other institutions or agencies in BIH, including the BP BIH, the SIPA, the MOS BIH, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BIH (MoFTER BIH), the Ministry of Transport and Communications of BIH (MTK BIH) and postal operators in BiH. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were developed and adopted by the ITA BIH. The SOPs regulate the details of approach and procedures in the prevention and detection of illegal SALW to be applied by the ITA BIH officers. Strengthening of the capacities of the ITA BiH, as well as of the BP BiH, was continued in terms of providing them with adequate specialist equipment so to enable their more efficient fight against illegal trade in SALW. International cooperation and coordination of the ITA BIH with customs authorities of neighbouring countries continued improving, exchanging information about the relevant organizational units within these institutions that work on issues of combating the illegal trade in SALW and the best practices they apply in their work. The Ministry of Security - CB SALW signed a Protocol on Project Implementation with the OSCE Mission to BIH in November 2021, and started the implementation of the SALW Project in which the beneficiaries are police authorities in BIH. As a component of regional security, various activities about SALW are continually organized, through, inter alia, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), through the 22 RACVIAC Centre for Security Cooperation, South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of SALW (SEESAC), Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI), the Regional Network of SALW Commissions, the South East Europe Firearms Experts Network (SEEFEN), the South East Europe Firearms Expert Group (SEEFEG), as well as through UNDP, UNODS, and, of course, the OSCE. BIH continually cooperates with the countries within the framework of international multilateral agreements as well as international bilateral agreements but also sends reports and performs other forms of exchange of information with the UN, OSCE, SEESAC, and RACVIAC. BIH was the first country in the region that introduced the moratorium on the export of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in possession of its armed forces. We fully contribute to the stability in the region by eliminating the risk that the exported equipment could end up in possession of non-democratic regimes or regimes that do not respect human rights or international terrorist groups. The Law on Control of Movement of Arms and Military Equipment is being implemented, and by enforcing it, BIH achieves a final level of control over export/import of arms and military equipment. Within the implementation framework of the mentioned Law, an Annual plan is drafted for regular audits of economic entities to which this Law applies, and, frequently, extraordinary controls are conducted on the route of the movement itself, thus establishing, overall, a series of cyclic controls representing quality supervision over export/import of arms and military equipment. The improvement of the control of domestic and foreign arms trade, the reduction of arms- related incidents and the number of illegal weapons in the possession of citizens, the promotion of the citizens' confidence in the BIH institutions at all authority levels, as well as the reduction in the costs of SALW possessed by the Ministry of Defence of BIH remain issues of particular importance. Particular attention was paid to the continuation of approximation of the legislation with the international standards. It is important to emphasize that most of the institutions have approximated the Laws on Arms with the Directives 91/477/EEC and 51/2008. The drafting of the subordinate legislation related to the identification of small arms and light weapons has been in progress. In this way, the procedures in this area will be set forth, and the movement of arms will be monitored in the future. Strengthening the capacity to prevent and combat illegal trade in firearms, parts, components and ammunition in postal packages has been conducted through the HERMES project, which specific objective to improve the regulatory framework (Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)) to combat trafficking in firearms, parts, components, ammunition and explosives. The SOPs serve as a reference point for the public sector in the fight against firearms trafficking, harmonizing processes with international standards and strengthening business transparency. They also provide support in improving coordination between customs, other public agencies and the wider commercial sector. To that end, 3 (three) memoranda of understanding were signed between the ITA and DPOs. In order to implement the SoP and the MoU, UNODC supported the formation and putting into operation the Working Group provided for in the MoU. In addition to that, trainings on detection of firearms, their parts and ammunition in postal shipments were conducted.

23 3.2 Provide information on how your State pursues arms control, disarmament and confidence- and security-building measures to enhancing security and stability in the OSCE area.

The process of arms control and disarmament has a very important role in the defence policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the field of arms control, disarmament and CSBM and their continued implementation remain important elements of Euro-Atlantic stability, security as well as developing good neighbourly relations and strengthening regional cooperation. Bosnia and Herzegovina attaches great importance to the implementation of its commitments. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a state party to the Agreement on Sub-regional Arms Control, Article IV, Annex 1-B, General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and as the state member of the OSCE participates in the implementation of the Vienna Document 2011. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a signatory to the Treaty on Open Skies. The Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control rebuilt peace and stability in the region. The agreement is now a multilateral agreement between four countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, Montenegro, and the Republic of Serbia). These four countries are the negotiating and Contracting Parties, and they have developed this arms control agreement for enhancing regional co-operation with the possibility of moving towards a future security community within EU structures for all states in the Western Balkans. The parties are committed to the objective of establishing new forms of cooperation in the field of security aimed at building transparency and confidence and achieving balanced and stable defence force levels at the lowest numbers consistent with the Parties respective security and the need to avoid an arms race in the region. Conscious of the common responsibility of the Parties for seeking to achieve greater stability and security in the region. Regarding the Sub-Regional Arms Control, in 2024 Bosnia and Herzegovina: • conducted 4 active and 4 passive inspections from March to October 2024 in accordance with decision of Sub-Regional Consultative Commission. • Exchanged information pursuant to Article VIII of the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control. The information in each chart provided in printed and electronic forms in the official languages of the Parties, as well as in English language. • took part in meetings of Sub-Regional Consultative Commission and two times the working group of Sub-Regional Consultative Commission sessions. Regarding Vienna Document 2011, in 2024 Bosnia and Herzegovina: • exchanged Annual information on their military forces concerning the military organization, manpower and major weapon and equipment systems, in the zone of application for confidence and security-building measures (CSBMs), according to the article I Annual Exchange of Military Information. • exchanged annual information to provide transparency about each OSCE participating State’s intentions in the medium to long term as regards size, structure, training and equipment of its armed forces, as well as defence policy, doctrines and budgets according to the article II Defence Planning.

24  • exchanged an annual calendar of its military activities subject to prior notification, within the zone of application for CSBMs according to the article VII Annual Calendars. • conducted passive inspections of specific area in Bosnia and Herzegovina from February to December 2024 as follows: o specific area inspection from USA in February 2024, o specific area inspection from Sweden, Netherlands and Luxembourg in June 2024, o specific area inspection from Hungary and Norway in June 2024, o specific area inspection from USA and Bulgaria in July 2024, o specific area inspection from USA, Canada and Netherlands in December 2024, o conducted evaluations in Bosnia and Herzegovina from April to October 2024 as follows: ▪ conducted 1 passive Evaluation visit from R. France in September 2024, ▪ conducted 1 passive Evaluation visit from R. Slovenia in April 2024, ▪ conducted 1 passive Evaluation visit from the USA in October 2024, ▪ conducted 1 active Evaluation visit in FR Germany in July 2024, ▪ conducted 1 active Evaluation visit in Denmark in April 2024, According to the Open Skies Treaties, Bosnia and Herzegovina was scheduled to conduct one observation flight and to receive four observation flights over the territory on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Regarding the Open Skies Treaty, in 2024 Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted: • 1 observation flight over Bosnia and Herzegovina from FR Germany, R. France, Hungary, R. Croatia, Czech Republic, in April 2024. • 1 observation flight over Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Kingdom of Spain, Benelux, Portugal, Romania, in May 2024. • 1 observation flight over Bosnia and Herzegovina from the Republic of Turkey in September 2024. • 1 observation flight over Bosnia and Herzegovina from Canada, Sweden, FR Germany, UK and Latvia in September 2024. • 1 observation flight over Georgia together with the Republic of Turkey, in July 2024.

Section II: Intra-State elements

1. National planning and decision-making process

1.1 What is the national planning and decision-making process in determining/approving military posture and defence expenditures in your State?

The Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, as the highest legislative body, established Joint Committee for Defence and Security of BiH as a standing committee. Members of Joint Committee are representatives and delegates from the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the PA BiH. 25 Responsibilities of the Joint Committee for Defence and Security of BiH are clearly defined by the Rules of Procedures, Article 59 of the Rules of Procedure of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Article 49 of the Rules of Procedure of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Regarding the relevant information, it is important to point out that Joint Committee is, among other things, responsible for the following: a) Considers and monitors the implementation of BiH security and defence policies b) Conducts parliamentary oversight with the aim of improving efficiency, transparency and functionality. Implementation of parliamentary oversight is based on the principles of constitutionality, legality, democracy and respect for human rights and freedoms. Parliamentary oversight is carried out over the following institutions: 1) Defence institutions: Ministry of Defence of BiH and Armed Forces of BiH. 2) Security institutions: Ministry of Security of BiH, Border Police of BiH; State Investigation and Protection Agency - SIPA, Service for Foreigners' Affairs, Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Agency for Forensic and Expert Examinations, the Agency for Education and Professional Training and the Police Support Agency. 3) Other institutions and bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina within their responsibilities related to issues of defence and security: Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH, in the part relating to the import, export and transit of weapons, military equipment and dual-use products, as well as the Ministry of Civil Affairs in the part related to mine-clearance. 4) Bodies of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH in the framework in which their work is subject to parliamentary oversight: Independent Board of the Parliamentary Assembly, the Committee on Public Complaints to the work of police officers in BiH police bodies and the Office of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of BiH. 5) The Joint Committee conducts parliamentary supervision over other BiH institutions if the Parliamentary Assembly passes such a decision. c) considers laws and amendments to laws within the competencies of Joint Committee. d) monitors legality and compliance of supervised institutions with a defence and security policy of BiH. e) considers reports, short-term and long-term plans related to the structure of BiH Armed Forces, personnel policy and recruitment, salaries and allowances, education and training of the Armed Forces of BiH, professional conduct and ethical standards for civilian and military personnel. f) monitors the procedures of equipping the army, procurement and import and export of weapons and military equipment, material assistance and contracts with foreign companies which provide services to defence institutions on a commercial basis, combat readiness, military exercises, military mine-clearance process, and operations

26  including enforcement of international obligations and international peace support operations. g) monitor and review the situation of human rights and freedoms in the defence and security sector. h) monitor compliance with the political, ideological and interest neutrality in the work of the supervised institutions. i) monitor and review the implementation of means and methods in conducting special investigative activities in supervised institutions. j) Reviewing reports on budget execution, as well as the audit reports of the supervised institutions. k) consider and approve work reports of the supervised institutions. l) considers the issues of cooperation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the bodies of European Union, United Nations, OSCE, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and other international organizations in the domain of defence and security. m) considers activities of permanent and ad hoc delegations of Bosnia and Herzegovina in international and inter-parliamentary institutions in the domain of security and defence. n) establishes cooperation with competent parliamentary committees of BiH entities, other countries as well as with international organizations and other bodies in the domain of defence and security.

The Joint Committee submits reports on the above- mentioned activities to the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and informs the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina of its conclusions and proposals in accordance with the provisions of the Rules of Procedure. 1.2 How does your State ensure that its military capabilities take into account the legitimate security concerns of other States as well as the need to contribute to international security and stability?

In 2024, the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Joint Committee on Defence and Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina were engaged in tasks and activities defined by the Rules of Procedure of both Houses of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the Orientation Work Plan of the Joint Committee on Defence and Security for 2024. During 2024, the Joint Committee on Defence and Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina: • Held four sessions of the Joint Committee, during which a total of 32 agenda items were discussed. • Hosted the Regional Annual Meeting, organized by the Joint Committee, RACVIAC, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and DCAF. • Members of the Joint Committee participated in multiple conferences, seminars, presentations, workshops, and roundtable discussions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

27  • Held several working meetings with representatives of domestic and international institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. • Conducted one study visit. During 2024, the Joint Committee, in its capacity as the competent committee, considered the Proposal for Amendments to the Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, submitted by the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Annual Meeting of representatives of parliamentary committees on defence and security from Southeast European countries was held at the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2024, following a five-year hiatus. The meeting was organized by the Joint Committee on Defence and Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Regional Centre for Security Cooperation in Southeast Europe (RACVIAC), the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF). In addition to representatives of parliamentary committees on defence and security from Southeast European countries, keynote speakers and experts from Austria and the United States also participated in the Annual Meeting. The First Session was entitled "Parliamentary Oversight of the Defence and Security Sector – Current State and Best Practices," the Second Session focused on the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening security and peace in Southeast Europe. The Third Session focused on the OSCE Code of Conduct as a normative framework for parliamentary oversight of defence and security. Throughout 2024, the Joint Committee participated in several notable activities, including: • Participation in the roundtable discussion "Enhancing Cybersecurity in Bosnia and Herzegovina," held within the BIHOS project "Bosnia and Herzegovina Builds Inclusive Security Oversight," Jahorina, 19 September 2024. • Participation in the 24th Session of the Strategic Committee on Weapons, Ammunition, and Explosive Ordnance, Sarajevo, 20 November 2024. • Attendance at the Second Conference of the Network of Chiefs of General Staff on "Women, Peace, and Security," Sarajevo, 6 November 2024. • Commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, Sarajevo, 11 November 2024. • Participation in the event "UN Resolution 1325 and Gender-Sensitive Approaches to Security Sector Oversight," Konjic, 9 December 2024.

The Joint Committee reviewed individual reports in 2024 regarding the activities of supervised institutions, including: the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA); the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs; the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Agency for Forensic Examination and Expertise; the Agency for Education and Professional Training; the Police Support Agency; the State Regulatory Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety; and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations 28 of Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically concerning the import, export, and transit of weapons, military equipment, and dual-use goods. The Committee also reviewed the activities of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina related to demining, as well as reports from the Independent Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Citizens’ Complaints Board on the Work of Police Officers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Office of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such oversight is considered instrumental in improving institutional monitoring and ensuring the legality of operations within these institutions. Additionally, we deem the participation of Joint Committee members in annual conferences dedicated to personnel analysis, demining efforts, the work of the Inspectorate of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and training programmes organised by the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to be highly significant. 2. Existing structures and processes

2.1 What are the constitutionally established procedures for ensuring democratic political control of military, paramilitary and internal security forces, intelligence services and the police?

In accordance with the Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH (PA BIH) conducts the parliamentary control over the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AF BIH) and all defence institutions at the State level. The Parliamentary Assembly Joint Committee for Defence and Security performs tasks in the area of the oversight over the BIH defence and security institutions. The Joint Committee for Defence and Security conducts parliamentary oversight of the following institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces, Ministry of Security, SIPA, Border Police, National Central Bureau of INTERPOL, and the BH Demining Centre. Democratic control over the AF BIH is conducted by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The role of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the oversight of the AF BIH is conducted in accordance with the Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to the Law on Defence, the Minister of Defence is a civilian in charge of the Ministry of Defence and conducts his function in the area of administrative, organizational, and command authority as well as control and inspection of the BIH AF. Foreign management and supervision of Intelligence-Security Agency of BIH, as well as internal management and control, is regulated by the Law on Intelligence and Security Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The rights and liabilities of the subjects of legislative and executive authority regarding Agency are clearly defined, such as: BIH Presidency’s rights and liabilities; Council of Minister’s (CoM BIH) rights and liabilities; Chairman of the Council of Ministers’ rights and liabilities; Executive Intelligence Board; and Parliamentary supervision. The Agency is directly subordinated to CoM BIH, Executive Intelligence Committee, and the most directly to the Chairman of CoM BIH. The control of Agency work legitimacy is done by Security-

29 Intelligence Committee for Supervision of the Agency, established by BIH Parliament. The Committee is responsible for supervising the Agency’s work, conducting investigation on the Agency’s work based on a grounded suspicion of illegal performance of the Agency, i.e. pursuant to the relevant legal provisions as well as analysing the expenditures of the Agency’s budget, including issuing opinion on the draft budget of the Agency. The Agency constantly strives to come up with new and efficient education modalities and trainings of its employees. In that view, a special attention is devoted to education of employees of the state institutions regarding the role and place of the Agency in the security sector of our country; as well as to education of the public in general, and the academic community in special. From the Agency’s stance, the specialized programs of OSCE Mission to BIH, such as the course “Security politics”, have proved to be extremely valuable. Due to that reason, the Agency remains open for the development and participation in those programs, being aware of the importance of Codex and contributions made by the Agency. Democratic political control over police agencies is ensured through constitutional and legal mechanisms that regulate their organization, competencies, and accountability to legislative and executive bodies. Police structures at various levels of government operate in accordance with the principles of democratic control, ensuring the legality of their actions, accountability, and the protection of human rights. At the state level, the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA), and the Border Police of BiH operate under parliamentary oversight in accordance with laws enacted by the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Parliamentary Committee for Oversight of Police and Security Agencies plays a key role in monitoring the legality of the operations of these institutions, reviewing reports on their activities, and ensuring their accountability to the public. At the entity level, the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska, the Ministry of the Interior of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the ministries of the interior of the cantons in the Federation of BiH are responsible for organizing and overseeing police work. Their activities are subject to control by executive and legislative bodies, with entity and cantonal parliaments having oversight mechanisms through security committees that analyze reports on police agency activities and make recommendations. Legislation in this regard is listed under Annex I.

2.2 How is the fulfilment of these procedures ensured, and which constitutionally established authorities/institutions are responsible for exercising these procedures?

The Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina regulates the competencies of the state institutions in the defence sector and defines the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Minister of Defence as the crucial state institutions for democratic control. The democratic control is implemented through a clear chain of command and control, defined by the Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The parliamentary control over the AF BIH shall be performed by the Parliamentary Assembly (PA BIH), directly through the Joint Committee for Defence and Security.

30 The PA BIH also has the authority to announce the state of war upon the request by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the case of direct attack to Bosnia and Herzegovina or parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to announce a state of emergency. The PA BIH confirms the appointment of the Chief and Deputy Chiefs of Joint Staff of the AF BIH, Commanders and Deputy Commanders of the AF BIH Operational Command, Commander and Deputy Commander of the Support/Logistics Command and all officers in the rank of general in the AF BIH. The Joint Committee for Defence and Security Policy of the PA BIH is in charge of the control and supervision of defence and security institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Joint Committee for Defence and Security Policy manages parliamentary supervision over following BIH institutions: the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Security, the Border Police (BP), the SIPA, the National Office of Interpol, the Mine Action Centre – BHMAC. Furthermore, the Joint Committee for Defence and Security Policy also considers and monitors implementation of the Security and Defence Policy of Bosnia and Herzegovina; supervises and considers reports of the BIH Ministry of Defence, the BIH Ministry of Security and other executive bodies dealing with security and defence matters reporting on the subject the PA BIH. The fulfilment of constitutionally established procedures for democratic political control over police structures in Bosnia and Herzegovina is ensured through the actions of relevant legislative, executive, and judicial institutions, as well as through mechanisms of internal and external oversight. Parliamentary control is a key mechanism that guarantees the legality of police agency operations. At the state level, the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, through the Joint Committee for Defence and Security, oversees the work of police structures and reviews reports on their activities. At the entity level, the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska and the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, along with the respective security committees, exercise control over the work of the entity ministries of the interior and police forces. At the cantonal level, cantonal assemblies have a similar oversight function over cantonal police forces. The executive branch exercises oversight over police bodies through the Council of Ministers of BiH and the Independent Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, which is responsible for overseeing the state police agencies, including SIPA, the Border Police of BiH, and the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH. In addition to political and judicial oversight, there are also internal and independent oversight mechanisms. Within each police agency, internal control departments investigate potential abuses and disciplinary offenses. Furthermore, the Institution of the Ombudsman for Human Rights of BiH provides independent oversight of police work, particularly in cases of human rights violations. These multi-layered mechanisms ensure that procedures for democratic control over police structures are carried out in accordance with the law, transparently, and responsibly, thereby strengthening public trust and upholding the rule of law.

31 2.3 What are the roles and missions of military, paramilitary and security forces, and how does your State control that such forces act solely within the constitutional framework?

The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AF BIH) are a professional, single military force organized and controlled by the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina can be organized, trained, equipped, or mobilized in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, only in accordance with the Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Law on Service in the AF BIH. The mission of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina is to: • Participate in operations of collective security, peace support operations and self-defence operations, including the fight against terrorism. • Provide military defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. • Assist civil authorities in reacting to natural disasters and catastrophes. • Demining activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. • Fulfill international obligations of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Engagement of the AF BIH is conducted upon the proposal of the Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such engagement is based on a decision of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which (in case of the announcement of a state of emergency, state of war or deployment of AF BIH units to peacekeeping missions) is confirmed by the PA BIH. The AF BIH, in accordance with a decision of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, can have up to 10,000 military personnel, 1,000 civil employees (including employees of the Ministry of Defence) and 5,000 members of active reserve. The AF BIH cannot be used for political purposes or activities of political parties. Armed Forces members, including generals, are neutral in political matters and shall not be engaged in any political activity of political parties or be selected or appointed to public functions. These provisions shall not prevent members of the AF BIH to be registered for voting or to be a candidate for elections in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Members of reserve units selected or appointed to public functions are not obliged to resign from the position if mobilized for regular training. When it comes to training of members of security agencies for protection of persons and property, as well as the training of private detectives, the establishment of such agencies and control over their activities is under the auspices of and executed by, in cooperation, the Agency for Education and Professional Training (AEPTM) at the state level and entity and cantonal levels ministries and police agencies. Ministries and police agencies at the at the entity and cantonal levels of government also have clearly established roles and controls ensuring they act solely within the constitutional framework. 3. Procedures related to different forces personnel

32 3.1 What kind of procedures for recruitment and call-up of personnel for service in your military, paramilitary and internal security forces does your State have?

The compulsory military service in Bosnia and Herzegovina was abolished in 2006. However, the Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina prescribes the existence of an active reserve. There is no specifically designed reserve component of the AF BIH, but an active reserve is envisioned in the peacetime structure. The Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina advertises available positions in the AF BIH and, through prescribed procedures, selects the appropriate number of candidates for training in training centers of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). The cadets who have been trained and educated at the foreign Military Academies, for the needs of the AF BIH, significantly contribute to an overall number of the officers admitted into our military service. This kind of arrangement is based on a bilateral agreements between Bosnia and Herzegovina and those countries. Recruitment of staff for police agencies, usually performed through public announcements, is executed by at the entity and cantonal levels of government ministries and police agencies, and it is regulated through legislative acts at those levels, with particular attention paid to equality. 3.2 What kind of exemptions or alternatives to military service does your State have?

There is no compulsory military service in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina has only professional armed forces. 3.3 What are the legal and administrative procedures to protect the rights of all forces’ personnel as well as conscripts?

The recruiting of staff for AF BIH is regulated by the Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina; the Law on Service in the AF BIH; the Law on Participation of the Members of AF BIH, Police Officers, Civil Servants, and Other Employees in Peace Support Missions and Other Activities Abroad, and the Law on the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Accession to AF BIH is exclusively in accordance with legal provisions, regulated by the laws abovementioned laws. Current solutions define that all members of the AF BIH during their active or reserve service exercise their rights and obligations in accordance with the Law on Defence and the Law on Service in the AF BIH. The mentioned laws comply with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and other relevant legislation. There is no Military Court within the AF BIH. AF BIH personnel consist of military professionals, reserve personnel, and civilians employed in the AF BIH. Military professionals exercise their rights and obligations in accordance with the Law on Service in the AF BIH. The Law regulates: the service in the AF BIH, composition of the AF BIH , admission into service, rights and obligations of the personnel serving in the AF BIH, status during service, personnel classifying system, evaluations, promotions, personnel record and carrier management, ranks and insignia in the AF BIH, standards of conduct and other status issues of the personnel serving in the AF BIH. Civilians in service in the AF BIH are civil servants and employees who exercise their rights and obligations in accordance with the Law on Labor in the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

33 The institution of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of Bosnia and Herzegovina is set out by the Law on the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This established a new institution in the field of the protection of human rights and freedoms, specialized exclusively for the protection of human rights and freedoms of military personnel and cadets in the AF BIH and the MOD. The position of Military Commissioner is established in order to strengthen the rule of law, protection of human rights and freedoms of military personnel and cadets in the AF BIH and the MOD, as stipulated in the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and attached international agreements. The Military Commissioner works on professional basis only and does not advocate, protect or undermine interests of any political party, registered organization or association, or any people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In performing parliamentary oversight of the work and other issues in the area of the protection of human rights and freedoms related to military personnel and cadets in the AF BIH and the MOD, the Military Commissioner has the following competencies: • Investigation of specific issues under the directions of the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH and the Joint Committee on Defence and Security. The directions may be issued only in case that the issue is not already considered by the Joint Committee, and the Military Commissioner may request the Joint Committee to issue the directions for investigation of specific issues. • Activities performed based on his/her personal assessment, following information received by the members of the Parliamentary Assembly of BIH, or consideration of complaints by military personnel and cadets, or in any other circumstances indicating a violation of human rights and freedoms of military personnel and cadets. Rights of military forces personnel are regulated by the Law on professional military service BIH and by the Law on Parliamentary military Commissioner BIH as well as subordinate legislation such as bylaws. When it comes to limitation and restrictions on rights, it is important to emphasize that soldiers do not have a right to strike, neither to syndicate nor politics gathering. The most important segment of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner’s work is consideration of the complaints of professional military personnel and cadets in the AF BIH based on their assessment and the circumstances that indicate violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Activities of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner in this segment can be divided into acting upon complaints, acting upon requests for legal assistance and acting on the initiative of Parliamentary Military Commissioner. In addition to acting upon complaints and conducting visits to barracks and units of the Armed Forces of BiH, the work of the Military Commissioner also implies provision of legal assistance to professional military personnel. In the context of the implementation of parliamentary control of work and other issues in the field of protection of human rights and freedoms of military personnel and cadets in the Armed Forces of BiH and the Ministry of Defence of BiH, every professional military personnel or cadet in the Armed Forces of BiH has the right to directly contact the military commissioner, and to file a complaint. Acting on complaints, the military commissioner is authorized to act

34 ex officio when, while carrying out his duties, he receives information or observes circumstances that refers to a violation of the human rights and freedoms of professional military personnel and cadets. During 2024, the Office of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of BiH received 30 complaints1 and 31 requests for legal assistance, out of which number procedures and investigations were carried out to established the validity of applications by professional military personnel in 45 cases, while the remaining requests were resolved through mediation between the applicant and responsible persons in the Ministry of Defence of BiH and the Armed Forces of BiH. The most important areas that were the subject of the work of the Office of the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of BiH during the reporting period were: 1. Admission of candidates into military service in the initial rank of non-commissioned officer on the recommendation of the commander, 2. Conducting disciplinary proceedings, 3. Non-salary compensations, 4. The position and status of women in the Armed Forces of BiH, 5. Individual specific cases.

The rights of police officers in Bosnia and Herzegovina are protected by laws that regulate their employment status, including the Law on Police Officers at various levels of government. These laws stipulate rights to adequate working conditions, workplace protection, disciplinary procedures, grievance mechanisms, and the right to unionize. Administrative procedures allow for filing complaints, disciplinary protection, and judicial protection in case of rights violations. 4. Implementation of other political norms, principles, decisions and international humanitarian law

4.1 How does your State ensure that International Humanitarian Law and Law of War are made widely available, e.g., through military training programs and regulations?

Bosnia and Herzegovina ensures that the AF BIH are equipped, trained, and managed in accordance with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law through the implementation of the Security and Defence Policy as well as the Military Doctrine. The training curriculum of basic and advance courses for soldiers, NCOs and officers of the AF BIH includes studying of International Humanitarian Law and conventions, which must be

1 In 2024 also, a lesser number of complaints from professional military personnel were received for two reasons: 1. Due to the suspension of the participation of members of the Armed Forces of BiH in the Peace Support Operation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 2. Due to preventive action in the process of monitoring the implementation of procedures for admission into service in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and through the action of providing legal assistance with the aim of removing deficiencies as soon as they are noticed. In this reporting period, complaints and requests for legal assistance were more focused on systemic solutions, and included certain groups of PMP or were submitted by several persons, but were consolidated into a single proceedings. 35 applied in armed conflicts, as well as relevant state legislation. The rules of engagement of AF BIH in peace support operations are identified in accordance with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law.

4.2 What has been done to ensure that armed forces personnel are aware of being individually accountable under national and international law for their actions?

Law on Service in Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines that members of the AF BIH have the right and obligation to perform their duty in accordance with the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina and other legal acts. Regardless of rank, every member of the AF BIH has a personal responsibility to comply with the law. Commanders must ensure that the law is complied with by others and must take action in case of violations. Orders issued by a superior commander are not to be carried out if their execution represents a criminal activity. The training of military professionals is prescribed in the “Leader’s Development” manual. The obligatory courses have been defined at the Centre for Professional Development for the AF BIH officers and NCOs as Command and Staff Course; Basic Officer Course; Basic NCO Course; Advanced Officer Course; Advanced NCO Course; Staff Officer Courses and Staff NCO Courses at Peace Support Operations Training Centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The attendance of these courses is mandatory for each AF BIH officer and NCO depending on his/her rank. Programs of instructions for all courses mentioned above contain lessons, which address in detail the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and Law on War. Also, at the level of all AF BIH units, the mentioned topics are mandatory, and they are being planned on a regular basis and conducted through unit training. All unit members attend this training. Newly recruited soldiers that are being trained through TRADOC Basic Training Center attend classes in accordance with the approved programs of instructions on the Law on War, the Geneva and Hague Conventions. The AF BIH in coordination with the ICRC organizes the execution of seminars and courses according to the ICRC plans and programs. All AF BIH units that are to be deployed in peace support operations must be trained on IHL and Law on War. Additionally, the AF BIH has developed manuals that they can use during their mission execution to remind themselves of some provisions regarding stated rules and laws. The mentioned manuals are the part of the additional equipment for the AF BIH soldiers in peace support missions.

4.3 How does your State ensure that armed forces are not used to limit the peaceful and lawful exercise of human and civil rights by persons as individuals or as representatives of groups nor to deprive them of national, religious, cultural, linguistic or ethnic identity?

Bosnia and Herzegovina ensures that AF BIH are not used to limit the peaceful and lawful exercise of human and civil rights based on the provisions of the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Defence Law of the Armed Forces, as well as other legislative acts regulating this particular matter. Article 4 of the Defence Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines the missions of the AF BIH. According to this article, the AF BIH cannot be used to limit human and civil rights. The Law of Defence regulates state institutions’ competencies in the defence 36 sector (civil and democratic control over the defence sector for the AF BIH). The civil and democratic control additionally ensures that AF BIH cannot be used to limit the peaceful and lawful exercise of human and civil rights by persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

4.4 What has been done to provide for the individual service member's exercise of his or her civil rights and how does your State ensure that the country's armed forces are politically neutral?

The Defence Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina defines that the AF BIH cannot be used for political purposes or political party activities. The members of the Armed Forces of BIH including generals are neutral with the regards to political issues. They cannot be engaged in any political activity nor to be appointed for a public position. Members of the AF BIH are allowed to register for voting as well to participate in voting and can nominate themselves for elections in accordance with the Election Law. Political engagement of the reserve members is defined as well, so that if the reserve member is elected or appointed on a public position, he/she is not obliged to resign if he/she is engaged in a regular training, but during the time in the AF BIH, he/she cannot perform party-related activities. The AF BIH Service Law strictly prohibits syndical and political organization of all AF BIH members. 4.5 How does your State ensure that its defence policy and doctrine are consistent with international law?

The alignment of defence policy and doctrine with international law has been ensured by incorporating provisions of international law into domestic legislation. Additionally, open public debate, the requirement for parliamentary approval for the AF and major acquisitions, as well as the requirement of a UN Security Council mandate for peace support operations help ensure that defence policy and doctrine are in accordance with international law. Bosnia and Herzegovina's foreign policy is aimed at promoting and preserving lasting peace, security and overall state development, international peace and the inclusion of BIH in modern European and Euro-Atlantic integration. BIH's activities in international relations are based on the principles contained in the UN Charter, OSCE documents and generally accepted principles of international law.

Section III: Public access and contact information

1. Public access

1.1 How is the public informed about the provisions of the Code of Conduct?

The public is informed about all strategic documents, laws, policies, and strategies related to OSCE’s Code of Conduct through official websites of ministries and other relevant institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. All relevant institutions are encouraged to publish the Code of Conduct (CoC) and Information of the CoC on their respective websites, and to offer it to the public in other forms. There are also efforts undertaken to raise awareness through seminars and involvement of civil society and non-governmental organizations, by relevant authorities, and often in partnership with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. 37 1.2 What additional information related to the Code of Conduct, e.g., replies to the Questionnaire on the Code of Conduct, is made publicly available in your State?

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s relevant institutions are encouraged to publish the Code of Conduct, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s reply to the Questionnaire on their respective websites.

1.3 How does your State ensure public access to information related to your State's armed forces?

According to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defence policy, a transparent approach to the defence activities is in accordance with international standards, also assisting to restore and develop confidence among all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This principle implies the implementation of the following objectives: • Mutual exchange of information concerning the planning of defence activities, engagement of assets and their origin and on the location of the military units and facilities. • Transparency of the budget and foreign military assistance. • Transparency of cooperation with the armed forces of other states. • Full access to and oversight of all defence activities by civilian authorities exercising command and control of the defence structures in BIH. • Cooperation with appropriate government and non-governmental organizations dealing with security and defence issues. • Openness to the media and continued informing the public about defence activities. In 2023, the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Law on Free Access to Information at the Institutional Level of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This law prescribes the right to access information and re-use documents in the possession of BiH government institutions, legal entities that establish BiH institutions in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Registration of Legal Entities that Establish BiH Institutions and Independent Bodies of BiH established by a special law, which is exercised in the manner and in the procedure prescribed by this law. Therefore, the same law applies to information concerning the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, representatives of media are invited on a regular basis to attend all significant events taking place at defence institutions and in the AF BIH. 2. Contact information

2.1 Provide information on the national point of contact for the implementation of the Code of Conduct

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sector for Multilateral Affairs - Department for OSCE Musala 2, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Telephone: +387 (33) 281-107; Fax: +387 (33) 227-156

38  ANNEX I

Political documents:

• Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, adopted by the General Assembly of the UN, 9 December 1994. • Declaration to supplement the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, adopted by the General Assembly of the UN, 17 December 1996. • Proliferation Security Initiative, 9 February 2005. UN Security Council Resolutions:

• Resolution 1267 (1999) on the prohibition of specific acts of terrorism • Resolution 1373 (2001) which provides for legislative, regulatory, institutional measures for combating terrorism • Resolution 1377 (2001) with the ministerial declaration on global counterterrorism • Resolution 1566 (2004) on the use of financial and other measures • Resolution 2396 (2017) which defines strategies for criminal prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration • Resolution 1956 (2010) on condemning all forms of terrorism • Resolution 2170 and 2178 (2014) on criminal prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration of FTFs and segmentation of radicalization to terrorism • Resolution 2242 (2015) on women. • Resolution 2250 (2015) on the prevention of violent extremism. • Resolutions 2322 (2016), 2341, 2354 (2017) on international cooperation in the prevention and fight against terrorism • Resolution 2462 (2019) on the financing of terrorism and money laundering • Resolution 2467 (2019) on the prohibition of sexual and gender-based violence

Universal international multilateral treaties:

• Convention on Criminal Acts and other Acts Committed in Aircraft. • Convention on Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft (Hijacking Convention) • Convention on Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation. • Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Criminal Acts against Persons under International Protection, Including Diplomatic Agents. • International Convention against the Taking of Hostages. • Protocol on Suppression of Unlawful Acts of Violence at the Airports Serving International Civil Aviation, as an Amendment to the Convention on Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, dated 23 September 1971. • Convention on Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (in the ratification procedure). • Protocol on Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located in Epicontinental Seaway.

39  • Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection, 1 March 1991. • International Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings, 15 December 1997, ratified on 19 June 2003. • International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, 9 December 1999. • Regulation on Security of Nuclear Material and Radioactive Sources. • Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. • Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (and Amendment) EU documents:

• Council Regulation (EC) on specific restrictive measures against certain persons and entities in the fight against terrorism (2580/2001) • EU Framework Decision on combating terrorism (2002, 2008) • Communications of the European Commission, European Parliament, Council, European Economic and Social Committee of the Regions: European Security Programme (COM, 2015); Council Decision (EU, Euratom) on the repeal of Decision 2007/124/EC. • Euratom on establishing a special program "Prevention, Preparedness and Consequence Management of Terrorism and Other Security-Related Risks" as part of the General Security and Freedom Safeguard Program for the period 2007–2013 (2015/457, 2015). • Directive of the EU Parliament and the Council on attacks on information systems and replacing the Council Framework Decision 2005/222/JHA (2013/40, 2013). • Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and the Council on the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (EUROPOL) (2016/794, 2016). • Communication from the European Parliament and the Council on the Action Plan to Strengthen the Fight Against Terrorist Financing (COM, 2016). • Regulation (EU) 2021/784 of the European Parliament and Council on combating the dissemination of terrorist content online. • Directive (EU) 2016/681 of the European Parliament and Council on the use of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data for the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of terrorist offenses and serious crime. • Directive (EU) 2016/1148 on measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union. • Directive (EU) of the European Parliament and Council on combating terrorism and replacing the Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA (2017). • Council Conclusions on strengthening the fight against terrorism (2017/853, 2017); EU Directive 2017/541 of the European Parliament and Council on combating terrorism. • Regulation (EU) 2022/895 on the information exchange between EU agencies in the field of law enforcement, migration and asylum. • Regulation (EU) 2022/858 on cooperation in criminal matters in the EU. OSCE Documents:

• Action Plan to Combat Terrorism – Bucharest (2001)

40  • Charter on Prevention and Fight Against Terrorism (2002) • Ministerial Declaration on the Prevention and Fight Against Terrorism (2004) • Ministerial Council (Ljubljana, 2005) • Ministerial Council (Madrid - 2007; Helsinki 2008) on human rights in the application of anti-terrorism measures • Ministerial Council (Athens, 2009) on the application of international legal frameworks in the fight against terrorism • Declaration of the Ministerial Council on the Role of the OSCE in combating the phenomenon of FTFs (Foreign Terrorist Fighters) in the context of UNSCR 2170 and 2178 (2014) • OSCE-ODIHR: Prevention of Terrorism and Suppression of Violent Extremism and Radicalization Leading to Terrorism: A Community-Based Approach (2014) • Ministerial Council (Belgrade - 2015; Hamburg 2016) on comprehensive approaches to preventing violent extremism • Ministerial Council Declaration on OSCE efforts in preventing and combating violent extremism and radicalization (Basel - 2014; Vienna - 2017) • On preventing and planning the financing of terrorism and the use of the internet for terrorist purposes • Vanadzor Rehabilitation and Reintegration Center for Individuals Involved in Violent Extremism and Radicalization Leading to Terrorism – Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners in Southeast Europe (2020) • Protecting Human Rights in Prisons from Radicalization Leading to Terrorism and Violence: Guidelines and Monitoring Tools (ODIHR-PRI, 2021) • Management and Human Rights: Collection, Processing, and Exchange of Personal Data and the Use of New Technologies in Combating Terrorism in the Context of Freedom of Movement (ODIHR, 2021)

Relevant Council of Europe anti-terrorism conventions:

• European Convention on Combating Terrorism (ETS 90). • Additional Protocol (ETS 190). • European Convention on Extradition (ETS 24). • First Additional Protocol (ETS 86). • Second Additional Protocol (ETS 98). • European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (ETS 30). • First Additional Protocol (ETS 99). • Second Additional Protocol (ETS 182). • European Convention on Transfer of Proceedings in Criminal Matters (ETS 73). • European Convention on Compensation of Damage to the Victims of Violent Crimes (ETS 116). • European Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure, and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime (ETS 141). • Convention on Cybercrime (ETS 185).

41  • Additional protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime on Incrimination of the Acts of Xenophobic and Racist Nature (ETS 189). • European Council Convention on Terrorism Prevention (ETS 196). • European Council Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure, and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on Combating Terrorism (ETS 198).

EUROPOL

• An ‘Agreement on Operative and Strategic Cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and EUROPOL’, was signed in Sarajevo on 31 August 2016 and entered into force 17 March 2017. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

• The New Safeguards Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Atomic Energy Agency in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and Additional Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and International Atomic Energy Agency in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Regional multilateral treaties:

• Agreement on Cooperation to Prevent and Combat Trans-border Crime with the Charter of Organization and Operation of the South-East European Cooperative Initiative Regional Centre SECI for Combating Trans-border Crime, 16 May 1999. • OSCE Document on SALW (Vienna, 24 November 2001). • OSCE Charter on Preventing and Combating Terrorism (Porto, December 2002). • OSCE Document on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition. • The Strategic Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Office of the European Police (EUROPOL), signed on 26 January 2007. • Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the North- Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on the security of information, signed on 16 March 2007. • Agreement on the Exchange of Security Data with the European Union, signed in 2004. • Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union on Readmission; Agreement was ratified and entered into force on 1 January 2008. • Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union on Benefits for Visas; Agreement was ratified and entered into force on 1 January 2008. • In accordance with signed ‘Protocols on Conducting Joint Patrols’, regional Plans for conducting joint patrols with the Republic of Croatia, Montenegro, and the Republic of Serbia have been agreed upon, and currently, appropriate actions are being taken in the field.

42  • In Skopje, on November 19, 2019, an Arrangement was adopted for the implementation of a ‘Joint Action Plan on Combating Terrorism in the Western Balkans’ between the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Commission.

Bilateral agreements that define police cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and other states:

Republic of Austria

An ‘Agreement on Police Cooperation between the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Austria’, was signed on 5 May 2006, and it entered into force on 01 September 2007. Republic of Bulgaria

An ‘Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on Police Cooperation’, was signed in Pleven on 20 September 2007. Republic of Belgium

A ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between the Ministry of Security and Belgian Federal Police was signed in Brussels 03 December 2015. Republic of Croatia

An ‘Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Republic of Croatia on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism, Smuggling, and Abuse of Drugs and Organized Crime,’ was concluded in Sarajevo in 2002. Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Republic of Croatia on Cooperation and Monitoring of the State Border was signed on 29 March 2007. According to the Agreement on State Border Surveillance Cooperation, the following protocols were created and signed between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Republic of Croatia: The Protocol between Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Border Police and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia – Police Directorate, on Conducting Joint patrols along Common Border. The Protocol between Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Border Police and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia – Police Directorate, on Forming Joint Groups for Fighting Crime. The Protocol between Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Border Police and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia – Police Directorate, on Assigning Liaison Officers.

43 The Protocol between Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Border Police and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia – Police Directorate, on Official Transit Across the Other Contracting Party Territory to Act in Own State Area. French Republic

An ‘Agreement on cooperation in the area of security between Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Government of the French Republic’, was signed on 29 March 2010. Concrete measures and actions are anticipated with special attention devoted to fighting against terrorism, organized crime, illegal drug trade, money laundering and human trafficking. Federal Republic of Germany

A ‘Joint statement of intent for the cooperation in fight against crime, terrorism, organized crime and illegal drug trade between the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federal Ministry of Interior of the Federal Republic of Germany,’ was signed in Sarajevo, on 15 January 2014. Hellenic Republic

An ‘Agreement on cooperation in the area of fight against crime, especially fight against terrorism, illegal drug and organized crime between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Hellenic Republic’, was signed in March 2006. Hungary

An ‘Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of Hungary on Cooperation on Combating Terrorism, Traffic of Narcotics and Organized Crime’, was signed in Budapest (Hungary), on 21 April 1996, entering into force on 26 February 2007. Islamic Republic of Iran

An ‘Agreement on cooperation in the field of security between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Islamic Republic of Iran’, was signed in 2005. Italian Republic

An ‘Agreement on cooperation between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of the Italian Republic in the field of the combat against organized crime’, was developed and signed in 2002, entering into force on 26 October 2007. Montenegro

An ‘Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of Montenegro on Police Cooperation’, was signed in Bečići on 7 September 2007. In accordance with Police Cooperation Convention in South-eastern Europe, the following Protocols and Agreements were signed with Montenegro:

44 The Protocol between Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ministry of Interior and Public Administration of Montenegro on Organizing and Holding Regular Meetings of Border Polices at National, Regional and Local Levels. The Protocol between Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ministry of Interior and Public Administration of Montenegro on Conducting Joint patrols along Common Border. The Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of Montenegro on Conducting Border Checks at Joint Border-crossing Points. North Macedonia

An ‘Agreement on police cooperation with the Republic of Macedonia’, was signed on 24 March 2009. Republic of Romania

An ‘Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of Romania on Police Cooperation’ was signed in Bucharest on 04 June 2007. The Protocol on Implementation between the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administrative Reform of Romania was signed in Bucharest on 6 July 2007. An ‘Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of Romania on readmission of their citizens and foreigners’, was signed in Bucharest on 10 October 2005. Russian Federation

A ‘Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation’, was signed in September 2004. Swiss Confederation

An ‘Agreement on Police cooperation between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and The Swiss Confederation’, was signed on 25 April 2007. Slovak Republic

An ‘Agreement on Police cooperation between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Slovak Republic’, was initiated in 2006. Republic of Serbia

An ‘Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Government of Serbia on police cooperation’, was signed on 24 September 2010 and entered into force on 28 January 2012. The Protocol on Joint Border Patrols along the State Border with the Republic of Serbia was signed on 6 March 2009 (Official Gazette no 08/09.) 45 In accordance with the Police Cooperation Convention in South-eastern Europe, the following Protocols and Agreements were signed with the Republic of Serbia: The Protocol between Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia on Conducting Joint patrols along Common Border. The Protocol between Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia on Holding Regular Meetings of Border Police Representatives at National, Regional and Local Levels. Republic of Turkiye

An ‘Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Government of the Republic of Turkey on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Traffic of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and Organized Crime’, was signed in Ankara (Turkey) on 21 June 2000 and was ratified by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 5 April 2002. Republic of Ukraine

An ‘Agreement on Cooperation in the Fight Against Crime between the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Cabinets of Ministers of Ukraine’ was signed in Kiev on 18 December 2015. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

An ‘Agreement on Cooperation in Fight Against Crime between the Council of Ministers and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’, was signed in Jeddah on 16 May 2016. Legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina related to democratic control of armed forces and combating terrorism and terrorism-related activities:

• Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH). • Criminal Code of BIH. • Law on Applying Certain Temporary Measures for the Efficient Enforcement of the Mandate of International Crime Court for the former Yugoslavia and Other International Restrictive Measures. • Law on Border Control of BIH. • Law on Classified Data Protection of BIH. • Law on Criminal Proceedings of BIH. • Law on Defence of BIH. • Law on the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies and on Agencies for Support to the Police Structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina • Law on Identity Cards of Citizens of BIH. • Law on the Parliamentary Military Commissioner of BIH. • Law on the Participation of the Members of the Armed Forces of BIH, Police Officers, Civil Servants and Other Employees in Peace Support Missions and Other Activities Abroad. 46 • Law on Police Officials of BIH. • Law on Protection of Witnesses under Threat and Vulnerable Witnesses. • Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities. • Law on the Protection and Rescue of People and Property in the Event of Natural or Other Disasters. • Law on Radiation and Nuclear Safety in Bosnia and Herzegovina • Law on Service in the Armed Forces of BIH. • Law on State Investigation and Protection Agency of BIH. • Law on Travel Documents of BIH. • Law on Witness Protection Program. • Constitution of FBIH. • Law on the Agencies and Internal Affairs for Protection of Persons and Property of the FBIH • Law on Criminal Procedure of the FBIH • Law on Internal Affairs of the FBIH • Law on Police Officers of the FBIH • Memorandum of Cooperation in the Fight against Terrorism between the Police Administration of the Federation of BiH and Cantonal Ministries of Interior in the FBIH • Constitution of RS. • Criminal Code of RS. • Law on Administration of RS. • Law on Agencies for Protecting Persons and Property, and Private Detective Activities of RS. • Law on Civil Servants of RS. • Law on the Government of RS. • Law on Labor of RS. • Law on Police and Internal Affairs of RS. • Law on Parliamentary Oversight of the Defence and Security Sector of RS. • Law on Security of Critical Infrastructure in RS. • Law on Salaries of Employees of the Ministry of Interior of RS. • Special Collective Agreement for Employees in the Field of Internal Affairs of RS • Statute of BD. • Criminal Code of the BD. • Law on Agencies for Protection of Persons and Property and Private Detective Activities of BD. • Law on civil service in the administration of BD. • Law on Labor of BD. • Law on Police of BD. • Law on Police Officers of BD.

47  UPDATED INDICATIVE LIST OF ISSUES PERTAINING TO WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY TO BE PROVIDED IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON THE OSCE CODE OF CONDUCT

This document provides an indicative list of issues, which aims at providing useful information on Women, Peace and Security aspects for participating States replying to the Questionnaire on the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security.

It is structured around the four pillars of UNSCR 1325 (Prevention, Participation, Protection and Sustaining Peace) and is set out in two parts for each pillar: - PART A Checklist of key commitments and measures taken by participating States; - PART B More detailed information for sharing good practice between participating States.

3.1. PREVENTION

A. Checklist of key commitments taken by participating States

LIST OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND ARRANGEMENTS Please indicate if your State is party to the following universal and regional legal instruments relevant to protecting women, peace and security. If your State is not a party to a treaty, but considers becoming a party, kindly indicate at which stage is such consideration (e.g., undergoing inter-ministerial co-ordination, approved by government and sent to parliament, approved by parliament and awaiting enactment by president, etc.)

Party by: Law and date of ratification ratification, P(R), accession, accession succession, P(a), acceptance, or succession approval Name of the treaty P(s), acceptance P(A), approval P(AA), or Not party Universal legal instruments 1. Protocol Supplementary to the United Nations P(R) Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (2000)

2. United Nations Convention on All Forms of P(R) Discrimination Against Women (1979)

The Council of Europe legal instruments 3. European Convention Against Trafficking in Human P(R) Beings (2005) CETS No: 197

4. European Convention on Preventing and Combatting P(R) Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (2011) CETS No: 210

Other arrangements Yes No

5. National Action Plan on Women, Peace & Security X

6. National legislation to implement the UN CEDAW X convention (if a party), with particular reference to combating discrimination in employment, education, access to health services and participation in institutions ensuring democratic oversight and public scrutiny of the security sector.

7. Other related information, clarification or details to share: Current, fourth BiH National Action Plan on Women, Peace & Security (Action plan for implementation of UNSCR 1325 “Women, peace and Security in BiH) was prepared for the period 2013-2027 and included full consultative process with institutions and civil society organization. The BiH NAP has not yet been officially adopted by the BiH Council of Ministers (CoM) due to political reasons. That’s why BiH NAP has been updated for the period 2025-2030 and is in regular procedure of adoption by BiH CoM. However, implementation of UN Resolution 1325 in BiH is ongoing according to practice previously established by NAPs.

B. Checklist of key measures taken by participating States Please indicate if your State has the following preventative measures in place. More detailed information of the preventative measures can be included in Part B below.

Type of Measure Yes No 1. Mechanism to assess risk of abuse of small arms to commit or facilitate X serious acts of gender-based violence and violence against women and children 2. Inclusion of women’s organisations and women in religious, ethnic minority or community groups in measures - to counter and prevent terrorism and violent extremism  - to raise awareness of the potential risks of exploitation and radicalization1

3. Inclusion of gender perspective and special needs of women and girls in a national counter-terrorism strategy2

4. Inclusion of specific matters related to the protection of women’s and girls’ X rights in the basic education of armed forces.

5. Availability of specialised in-service training for armed forces personnel X on the protection of women’s and girls’ rights.

6. Inclusion of specific matters related to the protection of women’s and girls’ X rights in the pre-deployment training for international peacekeeping missions.

7. Plans to address and gather information from local women’s populations in areas at risk of conflicts.

8. Mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the implementation of gender mainstreaming into operations

9. Feedback mechanisms: - from operations to chiefs of defence or military planners - between forces leading multi-national missions and forces providing personnel to such missions 10. Membership of a regional network or leadership network such as the WPS X Chiefs of Defence Network 11. Other related information, clarification or details to share: BiH Membership in the Global WPS Focal Points Network (launched in 2016 to assist UN Member States and regional organizations, in close collaboration with civil society, to improve and strengthen the implementation of the WPS agenda at the origin of decision- making processes).

C. More detailed information for sharing good practice between participating States

1 National Action Plan on Women, Peace & Security 1.1 In case you have a National Action Plan on WPS, how is your NAP developed, implemented and its impact assessed, including involvement of women’s organisations and other civil society organisations and co-ordination across government? From 2010 to 2022, three NAPs were successfully implemented in BiH. The fourth NAP for the period 2023- 2027 was drawn up, but it has not yet been adopted due to political reasons. This NAP has been updated for the period 2025-2030. Following previous practice, the entire process of developing and updating of information foe forth BiH NAP took place in close cooperation with the institutions represented in the Government Coordination Board for Monitoring the Implementation of the BiH NAP, as well as non-governmental organizations - through consultative meetings and follow-up communication.

1.2 In case you have a National Action Plan on WPS, who takes the lead and owns the budget? What contribution is made by your defence ministry and security

1 See also similar question 3a in form to input to UN SG UNSCR 1325 report. 2 See also similar question 3a in form to input to UN SG UNSCR 1325 report.  forces? The development of the BiH NAP was spearheaded by the Agency for Gender Equality of of the Ministry for Human Rights and Refuges of BiH (AGE BIH) through a series of national consultations with government and civil society actors. Inadequate financial resources for efficient implementation of the BIH NAP remain a challenge as it is still not adequately prioritized within institutional strategies, annual plans, and budget. That resulted in a lack of funds for its implementation. AGE BIH, with its proactive approach to donor community in BiH, tried to secure the missing funds for the implementation of the BiH NAP. Currently, the implementation of the WPS project is ongoing, in cooperation with the UN Agencies in BiH, which is financed from the UN Secretary General’s Peace Building Fund (PBF). Within this project, part of the funds for implementation of the WPS agenda in BiH have been secured.

1.3 In case you have a National Action Plan on WPS, how does the NAP support enhancement of institutional capacity in defence and security? BiH Action plan on UN Resolution 1325 (NAP) and BiH Gender Action Plan (GAP) define the specific responsibilities of competent institutions in accordance with Article 24 of the BiH Gender Equality Law. In this way, the institutional capacities for gender mainstreaming are enhanced. In this case defense and security institutions are supported through implementation of BiH NAP as a specific sectoral strategy for WPS, as well as through implementation of BiH GAP as an overall strategy for gender mainstreaming in BiH society, which includes “Gender and Security” as one of its priority areas.

1.4 In case you have a National Action Plan on WPS, how do you publicise progress on implementation of your NAP? Progress in the implementation of BiH NAP is reflected through institutional annual reports that are published on the AGE BIH website (if adopted by the BiH Council of Ministers).

2 Measures to prevent sexual and gender-based harm

The Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of BiH issued the Guidelines for Training in the Armed Forces of BiH and ordered that they be implemented in accordance with the Training Doctrine of the Armed Forces of BiH. According to this doctrine, soldiers and civilians serving in the Armed Forces of BiH begin training on the day of their admission to the Armed Forces of BiH and continue until retirement or termination of military service, in all three areas: institutional training, operational training and independent development. The Guidelines are applied in a planned and continuous manner, and gender equality topics are integrated into the training plans of commands and units, as well as thematic plans and programs of institutional training instructions, according to the Training Program for Integrating Gender Equality Content into Training and Exercises of the Armed Forces of BiH. The Guidelines also include training on the prevention of sexual violence in conflict and children's rights. Also, the adoption of the Handbook for Instructors on Gender Equality Issues is extremely important for the standardization of training. This manual, developed with the support of UNDP/SEESAC, contains guidelines for training on gender equality issues and is a tool for all those in the MoD and the Armed Forces of BiH who develop, organize and implement training on Within the framework of the regional project: "Support for the integration of the principle of gender equality in the reform of the security sector in the Western Balkans", a distance learning course "Course on Gender Equality" was prepared in the organization of UNDP/SEESAC. All civil servants of the MoD BiH and members (CL/PVL) of the Armed Forces of BiH who access the online information systems of the MoD BiH and Armed Forces of BiH on existing online platforms for distance learning are subject to attending the subject course.

2.1 Horizon scanning, intelligence and risk?

- How do you include systematic gender analysis of areas at risk of conflict, including gender disaggregated socio-economic indicators, power over resources and decision- making, increases in sexual and gender-based violence, on-line and other threats of violence against women in public life, journalists and those providing humanitarian assistance? Gender analysis in certain areas of security threats and challenges, recognized in BiH, are part of the BiH NAP and GAP as strategic documents. The Agency collects information and gender- disaggregated data from competent institutions. Specific analyses are done in accordance with needs and available resources (sometimes with support from relevant international projects).

- How do you incorporate a gender perspective into actions preventing and combatting the tensions, which lead to conflict, such as increases in sexual and gender-based violence, terrorism, violent extremism and human trafficking? Responsible institutions increasingly take responsibility and include gender perspective in its strategic documents, laws and by-laws, while the AGE BIH provides expert support to institutions in these processes. (either through giving official opinions or through participation in the development of these normative documents).

- What is the role of your military, police and other security personnel in such activities? From the perspective of the BiH Agency for Gender Equality, it can be said that security institutions develop and implement such activities within their jurisdiction and are continuously trained for gender mainstreaming in their normative documents. On the other hand, the Agency works with these institutions to develop specific actions in areas related to gender and security.

2.2 Planning.

- How do you incorporate a gender perspective into operational planning? The Agency in cooperation with institutions has a practice to develop annual operational plan for implementation of BiH NAP and GAP. Institutions are encouraged to incorporate NAP and GAP activities into their regular annual work plans. This process is uneven in institutions and has not yet been implemented as an obligatory action.

- How do you plan to address and gather information from local women’s populations in areas at risk of conflict? Information from local women's populations is gathered through initiatives on the localization of the UNSCR 1325 and WPS agenda in BiH, participation of NGOs in the Government Coordination Board, regular consultative meetings of AGE BIH and NGOs, development of local action plans for the implementation of UNSCTR 1325. Participation in already mentioned WPS project within the PBF fund for BiH is also important for cooperation with the local women's population.

2.3 Awareness and understanding of WPS at all levels and types of security personnel.

- What training do you give on incorporating a gender perspective and protecting the rights of women and girls to security personnel at basic education, officer training and specialised in-service training?

Trainings related to gender perspective are incorporated and carried out through regular training programs of institutions in the defence and security sectors. The BiH AGE provides trainings upon specific request.

The Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina have a strong institutional framework that supports continuous and sustainable progress in promoting gender perspectives, which is visible through the implementation of obligations stemming from the "Women, Peace, and Security" agenda, including partnership goal G 0013, "Women, Peace, and Security." This is actually a continuous process that begins with the preparation of the competition for admission to military service and continues in all stages of the admission process. After admission to military service, it refers to professional training and leading a military career, professional and specialist education and training, and integrates a gender perspective in all activities, including military exercises, engagement in peace support operations, military- diplomatic missions, and military representation missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Gender equality concepts are included in the TRADOC during institutional and operational education and training on courses attended by all categories of members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Command and Staff Course • Staff officer training • Training of NCO candidates • Training of officer candidates • Training of soldier candidates

The Peace Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina offers a NATO-accredited course on "Utility of Gender in Peace Support Operations." The use of available training materials supports the activities of GENAD and GFP. Also, PSOTC annually conducts personnel training prior to deployment on peacekeeping missions. This training is accredited by the relevant bodies of the United Nations and is conducted by domestic and international instructors. The training in its nature is international, as it includes military and police personnel, as well as international students from NATO member states and other countries. Within the framework of the pre-deployment of members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina who will be deployed in peace support operations, the following topics are covered:

• Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions, • International Humanitarian law applicable in Peace Support Operations, • Protection of human rights, with special emphasis on the Protection of the rights of women and children in Peace Support Operations, • Protection of civilians in Peace Support Operations, • Gender in Peace Support Operations, • Protection of children and women in Peace Support Operations, etc.

27 instructors were certified by the UK for "Human Security" training. The "Human Security" training concept represents a modern approach to the interpretation of security that focuses on the individual, the needs of different categories of the population during conflict and the peace-building process, as well as the integration of the principles of the "Women, Peace, and Security" agenda into military operations and peace support operations.

The aim of this training is to train the members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the personnel responsible for planning and evaluating exercises, for further training of units, and the integration of these topics into exercise scenarios and the responsible execution of set missions and tasks - which is closely related to reaching the standards according to the partner, the goals of PG L 4000 "The struggle of combined genders in an urban environment" and PG 0013 "Women, Peace, and Security" as well as improving the interoperability of the BiH Armed Forces.

This training covers topics that are problematic in the latest NATO and UN documents and guidelines, as areas relevant to the planning of military operations and peace support operations, namely:

• Protection of Civilians (POC), • Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), • Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), • Cultural Property Protection (CPP), • Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR)...

The Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina have 15 instructors of Gender Training of the Trainers (GToT). GToT instructors not only participate in the training of members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina but also in training conducted within the framework of UNDP SEESAC, thereby contributing to the formation of a wider network of instructors for gender equality. In order to systematically introduce the principle of gender equality and improve the position of women in the defense and security sectors, the practice of harmonizing policies, laws and by-laws with the Law on Gender Equality in BiH (LGE) in competent institutions and defense and security agencies continued during 2024. The institutions submit documents to the Agency for Gender Equality of BiH, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH (AGE BIH, MHRR) for an opinion on compliance with the LGE.

According to information from the BiH Ministry of Defense (MoD), training on the topic of gender equality is carried out in the units as planned. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) define the specific duties of contact persons for gender equality – gender focal points. When creating the annual training program, gender focal points make proposals for integrating gender equality into individual and collective training, and also implement other types of education. In the part related to training, it is prescribed that competent commanders at all organizational and formation levels of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) are obliged to plan and implement training in the field of gender equality in their units, upon the proposal of appointed gender focal points.

- How do you train security personnel to protect women and girls, men and boys from sexual and gender-based violence?3

2.4 Vetting of security personnel, especially pre-deployment

- What measures do you take to vet and prevent the recruitment, retention, promotion and deployment of security personnel with a record of sexual or gender-based violence or other violations of human rights?4 Institutions receive information and instructions within mandatory trainings, webinars, but also through the adoption of specific internal acts, such as policies of zero tolerance for sexual and gender-based harassment, and the appointment of advisors for the prevention of these phenomena in BiH institutions.

2.5 Other preventative measures

- What other preventative measures do you have, for example to prevent sexual abuse or sexual exploitation on deployments and other forms of engagement of security forces abroad?5

Education is always good prevention measure. In the period from November 6 to 8, 2024, the second WPS CHODS conference was held in the Home of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo, in partnership with the British Embassy, and it resulted in the adoption of concrete conclusions for the further integration of gender equality. With the support of the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of Norway and NATO Saba, it was agreed to hold the seminar "Women in military service" in Sarajevo, and they are intended for members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A total of twelve seminars are planned from May 2024 to the end of October 2025. So far, six seminars have been held, in which 178 women PVL and five women CL in the service of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina have participated.

3 Leadership, accountability and assurance

3.1 Integrating WPS into the command climate

- How do you integrate a gender perspective and WPS into your policy and operational framework, including military manuals, national security policy frameworks, codes of conduct, protocols, standard operating procedures and 3 See also similar question 6a in the NATO Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Implementation Progress Report. 4 See also similar question 2 and 8 in the NATO Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Implementation Progress Report 5 See also similar question question 7 in the NATO Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Implementation Progress

Report.  command directives? In accordance with the BiH Gender Equality Law, institutions are obliged to harmonize all normative acts under their jurisdiction with this law. In order to strengthen the practice of including a gender perspective in the institutional framework, the institutions adopted internal acts, such as the Regulation on the implementation of Gender Equality Law in the BiH Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the Armed Forces, Gender equality policy in the BiH Ministry of Security (MoS) and similar.

3.2 Accountability and Performance assessment

- What measures, systems or procedures do you have on individual and collective accountability for acting in accordance with such policies or directives?

3.3 Assurance

- How do you provide specialist advice to operational commanders on WPS?

- What systems or measures do you use to co-ordinate specialist advice on WPS throughout your security forces and to provide democratic oversight?

The process of development of the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan as a key document for monitoring and supervising the implementation of the WPS agenda in BiH is underway and is coordinated by the BiH Agency for Gender Equality.

4 Sharing of good practice

4.1 How do you share good practice and learn from others? At the national level, there is inter-institutional coordination (formal and informal) as a possibility for sharing good practice (regular meetings of Government Coordination Board). Regional coordination is made possible through the activities of the Regional Coordination Board of Gender Institutional Mechanisms in the Western Balkan countries in the priority area for the WPS agenda (regular meetings) and specific projects and initiatives supported by international organizations (UN agencies, SEESAC, etc). International exchange of good practices and learning from others is possible through participation in the Global WPS Focal Points Network, WPS Chiefs of Defence Network (regular annual meetings), etc.  3.2 PARTICIPATION

A. Checklist of key measures taken by participating States

Please indicate if your State has the following measures in place to increase women’s participation in security forces and decision making, including at all stages of any peace- making process. More detailed information of such measures can be included in Part B below.

Yes No Type of Measure 1. Collection and monitoring of sex disaggregated statistics on applicants to X armed forces

2. Policies to attract female candidates (targeted campaigns, review of X accession tests etc.)

3. Policies to promote equal opportunities for women and men across the X security sector 4. Collection and monitoring of sex disaggregated statistics of armed forces X personnel: - By rank - By promotion - By retention 5. Collection and monitoring of sex disaggregated statistics of complaints by X armed forces personnel of: - Discrimination - sexual harassment - gender based harassment - sexual violence - gender-based violence

6. Collection and monitoring of sex disaggregated statistics of complaints by X civilian personnel in the security sector of: - discrimination - sexual harassment - gender based harassment - sexual violence - gender-based violence

7. Anonymous staff surveys/climate assessment surveys or similar X (monitoring incidences of behaviour contrary to military standards of conduct)

8. Collection and monitoring of sex-disaggregated statistics of: X - personnel deployed on operations and peace-keeping missions - and by rank  9. Collection and monitoring of sex-disaggregated statistics of decision makers X in the security sector 10. Other related information, clarification or details to share: In accordance with the BiH Gender Equality Law, institutions are obliged to collect statistical data disaggregated by sex. The BiH Agency for Gender Equality provides support to institutions in improving gender-responsive statistics and analyses According to information received from defense and security institutions, all of the above measures are in place.

B. More detailed information for sharing good practice on participative measures between participating States

1. Measures to increase the number of women in general and in decision- making positions in the armed forces and the ministry of defence (and other security forces- optional).

During each announcement of the recruitment for officers in the AFBiH and the accompanying campaign, which has been carried out for years, special attention is paid to promoting the participation of women and encouraging girls to apply. This includes numerous promotional and media contents and materials (video recordings, billboards, posters) presented through all means of public information. The data on the number of women applying for competitions for the recruitment of soldiers, officers and non-commissioned officers show that there is an increasing trend in the number of women applying for recruitment to the AFBiH, with the assumption that the aforementioned campaigns contribute to this. For example: of the total number of registered candidates for the public advertisement for soldiers in 2024, 15.4% were women, for the public competition for officers 18.6% were women, and for the internal advertisement for non-commissioned officers 9.5% were women.

A framework and quality system for admission and career management has been established, which includes the issue of gender equality, and the effects of increasing the number of women in higher ranks will be recognized in the coming period as the career of members of the defence system develops. All by-laws that regulate the field of career development, including the Ordinance on the education and training of professional military personnel, the Ordinance on professional development and career management, define the equal treatment of all persons.

By integrating the principles of the Women's Peace Security agenda (integration, inclusion and integrity) in the activities of the BiH Armed Forces, we practically include gender issues in the entire defence system, from strategic to tactical levels, which gives us great potential in terms of supporting analysis, planning and execution. Great progress has been made in the process of achieving real gender equality and equal opportunities without discrimination – in a number of areas:

• The number of uniformed women has increased (in 2007 - 4.7% and in 2024 – 10.1%), while women perform all types of duties in the AF BiH, from managerial, command, staff to various specialist duties. They have an opportunity to serve UN, NATO and EU led missions. • Strengthening of the Network of contact persons for gender issues for lessons learned and exchange of best practices, cooperating with inspectors and ethics advisers in the implementation of training on gender equality issues; • The GENAD CHOD position was established in JS AF BiH. • Quarterly reporting, as well as GENAD and GFP meetings • The Rulebook on Gender Equality for the BiH MoD and the BiH Armed Forces, as well as the SOP for the integration of the principle of gender equality in the activities of the BiH Armed Forces, was  prepared. • The gender perspective is integrated into the key tasks and functions of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with the national, international and normative frameworks of the "Women, peace and security" agenda. • Recognition of the principles of the "Women, peace and security" agenda in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina improves the application of the gender perspective in the context of operations.

GENAD and GFP are included in planning processes due to the possibility of contributing to more effective planning with a focus on the gender perspective. Special attention should be paid to the activities of the General Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defence of BiH when it comes to training, but also to other activities from the program Building Integrity in the context of the "Women, Peace and Security" agenda.

According to the latest analyses (2024), in the total number of employees in the AF BiH, there are 972 female professional military and civilian personnel. The percentage of women in the total number of professional military personnel and civilian personnel in the AF BiH is 11,8%.

The number of women in AF BiH goes as follows:

• 820 military personnel (155 officers; 157 NCOs; and 508 soldiers) • 152 civilians.

The number of women admitted to professional military service in 2024 was as follows:

• 92 soldiers -15,2%, • 23 non-commissioned officers - 7,3% i • 17 officers -17,%.

After graduating from the military academy, seven women (23.3%) were accepted into professional military service in the initial rank of officer. The data show an increase in the number of women admitted to the AFBiH on an annual basis (compared to the total number of admissions). However, the data on the participation of women in leadership positions in the MoD and the AFBiH do not show significant changes during the implementation of the third AP.

The number of women recruited into professional military service is continuously increasing, they conduct proactive campaigns in this regard and the practice has also been established that women must be represented among the candidates who are given the opportunity to advance in the service, in accordance with the achieved results and the principles of equal opportunities for all.

Thus, seven women out of a total of 30 candidates were accepted into professional military service in 2024 after completing their education at military academies abroad. After completing basic military training, 92 women were accepted out of a total of 604 candidates, 23 women were accepted after completing basic non-commissioned officer training out of 314 candidates, and 17 women were accepted after completing basic officer training out of 97 candidates. Therefore, out of the total number of 1045 persons admitted into professional military service in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 139 are women, which is a percentage of 13.3%

1.1 What are the numbers and percentages of women and men applying for and recruited to your military forces?

1.2 What are the numbers and percentages of women and men in your military forces, disaggregated by rank?  1.3 If you regularly analyse retention and promotion statistics disaggregated by gender and rank, what are the trends and what action, if any, are you taking as a result?

1.4 What are the numbers and percentages of complaints raised by women and men about discrimination, harassment, sexual or gender-based violence?

1.5 How do you monitor outcomes?

1.6 How is a gender-perspective integrated into a ‘climate assessment’ or similar anonymous staff survey, if used?

2 Measures to increase the numbers of women and specialist WPS advisers in peacekeeping forces.6

As part of the promotional activities of the MoD, regular campaigns are carried out with the aim of promoting the role and participation of women in peacekeeping missions.

When it comes to training for peacekeeping missions, the BiH MoD and the AFBiH have included topics in the field of gender equality in their curricula and conduct them regularly. All officer and non-commissioned officer courses on peacekeeping operations have a gender module lasting 1-3 hours, which includes a theoretical part and a short practical exercise/discussion. Training in the AFBiH takes place on three levels: operational- strategic, tactical, and through training before sending to missions outside BiH.

Indicators on the representation of women in the army, police and peacekeeping missions, including decision- making positions, indicate stagnation or slight progress and do not reflect equal representation of the sexes. The implementation of the previous three action plans on UNSCR 1325 led to the creation of a more favorable environment for increasing the interest and participation of women in military and police structures.

After graduating from the military academy, 8 women (17.7%) were accepted into professional military service in the initial rank of officer. The data show an increase in the number of women admitted to the AFBiH on an annual basis (compared to the total number of admissions). However, the data on the participation of women in leadership positions in the MoD and the AFBiH do not show significant changes during the implementation of the third AP.

In the Directorate for the Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH, there are 8,34% of female police officers, which indicates a slight trend of increase in the representation of female police officers compared to the previous reporting period.

The average representation of female police officers in cantonal ministries of internal affairs is 8.5%. In certain cantons, a significant progress was recorded in the representation of female police officers, and a trend of increasing the number of female police officers with higher ranks can be noted. The representation of female police officers in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of RS was 11.2%, and in the police of BD 6.1%.

The above data show that during the implementation of the third AP UNSCR 1325, there was an increase in the participation of women in almost all police agencies and cantonal ministries of internal affairs by an average of about 1.5%, but women are still underrepresented in the highest management positions with higher ranks.

The participation of female police officers in peacekeeping missions has been from 30% to 35% in recent years 6 See also similar question B1 in form to input to UN SG UNSCR 1325 report. and is continuously increasing, thanks to the application of the affirmative measure on the necessary previous experience, which the MoS has been applying since 2008. However, the MoS indicates a possible trend of decreasing representation of men and women in peacekeeping missions, which may in the near future be reflected in the overall engagement of BiH in police peacekeeping missions, and the ceding of positions to other countries. In the last three years, some law enforcement agencies in BiH have made decisions to stop sending police officers to peacekeeping missions, which is explained by the lack of personnel as well as increased regular operational tasks.

2.1 What are the numbers and percentages of women and men in peacekeeping forces, disaggregated by rank?

The total number of members of the AF BIH that participated in peacekeeping operations in 2024 was one women out of six members - 16.6 %. Due to the withdrawal of forces from five peace support operations (missions) there was a decrease in the total number of participants in the missions, and therefore a decrease in the number of women sent to the missions

In 2024 there are three female police officers of Republika Srpska (RS) Ministry of Interior. As of December 31, 2023, there are 14 members of RS Ministry of the Interior in the UN peacekeeping missions - South Sudan (10) and Cyprus (4).

Police of the Brcko District of BiH had one officer in the peacekeeping mission in Cyprus during 2024.

2.2 What are the numbers and percentages of international missions to which you appointed Gender Advisers, Gender Focal Points or Women Protection Advisers?

3 Democratic oversight of Security Forces and WPS

As part of his regular activities, the Military Commissioner continuously monitors the implementation of the Gender Equality Policy in the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in this regard he points out that significant measures have been taken to improve the position and status of women in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. All measures undertaken under the implementation of the Action Plan on the Implementation of UN Resolution 1325 "Women, Peace and Security" are commendable.

3.1 How do your security forces publicise, report on and account for their actions on policies and plans related to WPS? BIH AGE coordinates the development of annual reports on the implementation of BiH NAP and GAP. Institutions submit information on the implementation of policies and plans related to WPS.

3.2 What is the representation of women in decision-making positions in institutions ensuring democratic oversight and public scrutiny?

3.3 PROTECTION

A. Checklist of measures taken by participating States

Please indicate if your State has the following protective measures in place. More detailed information of the protective measures can be included in Part B below.  Type of Measure Yes No

1. Specialist Advisers on WPS: X - Gender Advisers - Gender Focal Points - Women Protection Advisers 2. Policies to protect women and others in conflict and post-conflict areas from X sexual abuse and exploitation by your State’s security personnel7

3. Policies, which set out the duties of commanders and other superiors to X prevent abuse or exploitation by their subordinates.

4. Collection and monitoring of reported cases of exploitation and abuse allegedly perpetrated by military, para-military and security forces: -referred -investigated - acted upon 5. Measures to increase your State’s capacity to investigate alleged violations of X human rights and fundamental freedoms in areas of conflict or post-conflict including sexual and gender-based violence8 6. National legislation conferring powers to prosecute alleged extra- terrestrial violations of human rights

7. Other related information, clarification or details to share: According to institutional inputs collected by the BIH AGE, some of the above protective measures are in place.

B. More detailed information for sharing good practice on protective measures between participating States

1 Measures to embed protection of women and girls in operations and international missions

In addition to training in the field of ethics and professionalism, including the code of conduct, through planned regular training and daily contacts with the BIH AF, the BIH MOD General Inspectorate and the BIH AF inspectors regularly encourage all persons to report irregularities, which includes explaining the basic principles of the work of inspectors and a way of communicating with them.

The Decision on Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence is in force.

1.1 How do you define conflict-related violence in your policies, manuals, standard operating procedures and training material?

- Does it include sexual and gender-based violence, forced sterilisations and

7 See also similar question B2 in form to input to UN SG UNSCR 1325 report as well as question 3a in NATO Sexual

Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Implementation Progress Report. 8 See also similar question 4a in similar question in NATO Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Implementation Progress

Report.  abductions, also of men and boys, and forced pregnancy and forced abortions?

- Does it include victims of terrorism or other armed groups?

1.2 Number and percentage of participating State’s international missions that address specific issues affecting women and girls in their terms of reference and the mission reports.

1.3 How are military, para-military and security forces trained to respond to sexual violence and gender-based harm?

2 Investigating alleged violations

2.1 How do you identify, record, investigate and prosecute any alleged violations, cases of exploitation and abuse perpetrated by military, para-military and security forces? What experience do you have of such investigations and prosecutions?

2.2 What are the number and percentage of reported cases of exploitation and abuse allegedly perpetrated by military, para-military and security forces that are referred, investigated and acted upon?

2.3 How do you ensure access to justice for victims of conflict related violence including cases of exploitation and abuse by military, para-military and security forces?

3 Other measures to protect women and girls

3.1 What lessons could you share in relation to protective measures? 3.4 SUSTAINING PEACE

A. Checklist of key measures taken by participating States

Please indicate if your State has the following measures in place to sustain peace, especially with regard to relief and recovery and to post-conflict situations. More detailed information of such measures can be included in Part B below.

Type of Measure Yes No

1. Measures to ensure the involvement of women from the outset in seeking a X peaceful settlement of potential or actual conflicts.  2. Measures to support those who have experienced sexual or gender- based X violence during or post-conflict to support their recovery from trauma

3. Measures to support the role of women as agents of change and transformation X in areas emerging from conflict

4. Measures to support capacity building in the security and other sectors of fragile states or post-conflict situations to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially relating to women and girls 5. Other related information, clarification or details to share: BiH AGE supports the implementation of these measures through the implementation of the BIH NAP and GAP and the coordinated intervention of non-governmental and international organizations (such as NGO initiative “Peace with a woman's face”, etc.)

B. More detailed information for sharing good practice between participating States

1.1 How do security personnel support and seek to embed the involvement of women in peacekeeping and throughout the peace building and post -conflict process?

1.2 What training are your security personnel given as regards survivor focus?

1.3 What roles do your security personnel or other personnel play in support of demobilisation, access to humanitarian assistance or to facilitate re-integration post- conflict?

1.4 What lessons could you share in relation to recovery and relief issues in the WPS agenda?

3.5 Final reflections

1. What do you consider biggest obstacles as well as what are the priorities for your country on WPS in the context of the Code of Conduct? One of the biggest obstacles is demanding procedure for the adoption of the fourth action plan of BiH (BiH NAP) due to the lack of acceptance from the RS entity government. This challenge is overcome by the fact that the BiH Gender Action Plan (2023-2027) is under way, which contains the priority area "Gender and Security" - it provides a legal basis for fulfilling the obligations of institutions according to UN Resolution 1325 on WPS. One of the obstacles is the lack of financial resources and allocations from the regular budgets of institutions for activities on the implementation of the WPS agenda in BiH. This challenge is being overcome by continuous reminders by BiH AGE that institutions should allocate funds from their budget, as well as by well-directed and coordinated donor assistance (e.g. the ongoing UN WPS project supported by the PBF fund, etc.).

2. Would you like to share any additional information, clarification or details? Voluntary reporting on Private Military and Security Companies (PMSC) In accordance with domestic legislation in BIH (see Annex 1), private security agencies perform protection (close body protection or other physical protection) of persons and property in BIH. These agencies cannot be employed for the protection of persons and property for the Armed Forces of BIH or for subjects under the jurisdiction of state level and/or lower levels of government. The agencies cannot have police powers or the authority of judicial bodies (courts, prosecutors' offices, etc.), nor can they perform tasks for domestic or foreign state defence, security or counterintelligence services. The agencies must not undertake activities which are under the jurisdiction of internal affairs bodies. The agencies cannot be organized or merged in order to commit violent and other actions against any public bodies in Bosnia and Herzegovina or do acts that endanger its territorial integrity or independence - or that of other countries. Protection activity in FBIH is under the Law on agencies and internal services for the protection of people and property. (Official Gazzette of FBiH number 78/08 and 67/13). This law defines the terms for conditions of establishing agencies for protection of people and property, activities of agencies, conditions for obtaining certificates of persons intending to perform protection activities, rules on doing business of the agency, organization of internal protection service and other issues of importance for organization and work of agencies and internal services for protection of people and property on the territory of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the FBIH, the aforementioned law defines that only private security agencies can exist and internal services that perform physical and technical protection of people and property. In the procedure of establishing an agency for performing protection activities, the founder is obliged to obtain a work permit from the locally competent cantonal Ministry of the Interior, and after that to submit a request to the competent court for entry of the agency in the court register. In addition to the approval of the cantonal Ministry of Internal Affairs, the agencies must have the special consent of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of FBIH in accordance with the provisions of Article 26 paragraph 2 of the above-mentioned law. Supervision over the work of these agencies is carried out by the Inspectorate as the basic organizational unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of FBIH in accordance with the provisions of Articles 54 to 60 of the above law. Protection activities in the FBIH are currently performed by a total of 42 agencies registered in the FBIH. The total number of 27 agencies for protecting persons and property and two private detectives are registered on the territory of RS. In agencies for protecting persons and property and private detective agencies in RS, a total of 1,321 workers are employed, and all agencies have a total of 616 pieces of registered short-barreled firearms. As of December 31, 2024, a total of 8 personal and property insurance agencies and private detective agencies were registered in the Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, employing 138 people. They own 36 firearms (short-barreled firearms) and 14 vehicles (including intervention vehicles and special vehicles for transporting money).