Accountability Now: Protecting children from all violence in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Eurochild member Novi Put expresses concerns over the increasing cases of child trafficking, child sexual exploitation and abuse in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which expose the need for urgent reforms in line with the EU standards.
On 29 October 2025, police in Tuzla Canton arrested seven suspects for trafficking and child sexual exploitation. Alarmingly, four of those arrested are police officers; another suspect is a former state-level parliamentarian and current university professor. Initial reports indicate that some victims are children from the Home for Children without Parental Care in Tuzla.
This case is the latest in a series this year and points to systemic failures to protect children and hold perpetrators, especially those with institutional power, to account. Earlier in the year, as we previously highlighted, in the Brčko District, 31 children (mostly girls, aged 0-12) were identified as victims, and the Sanski Most case also involved the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children.
Additionally, during an international operation conducted by Interpol in April this year to dismantle a ring involved with child sexual abuse material (CSAM) created using artificial intelligence, 25 individuals were arrested across several countries, including one in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In June this year, a further 8 persons were apprehended in connection with CSAM, with 3 more arrests in August and 4 this month. These events have revealed deep protection gaps, weak inter-agency coordination, and persistent risks of corruption interfering with investigations and prosecutions.
Aligning with EU standards
The start of negotiations for Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2024 brought children’s rights to the forefront. Progress under Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights requires credible, sustained alignment with the EU acquis on the prevention of and response to all forms of violence against children, including by aligning with the key legislation protecting children against violence.
These include the revised EU Anti-Trafficking Directive, now in force with stronger rules on prevention, victim identification, and child-sensitive justice, and identifying children in alternative care as a group of children particularly vulnerable to trafficking, and strengthening compliance with the Victims’ Rights Directive and its ongoing revision. Member states should also prepare for aligning with the EU Commission’s Proposal laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse, including effective detection, removal and reporting of Child Sexual Abuse Materials, as well as assistance to victims while safeguarding fundamental rights.
Despite the growing prevalence of such cases, there has been no visible increase in prevention, awareness, or victim support initiatives, while many perpetrators, especially those with political or institutional connections, remain unpunished.
Child protection cannot wait for the end of accession negotiations. Swift alignment with EU standards, matched by implementation on the ground, will save lives, rebuild public trust, and demonstrate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to a justice system that protects every child from violence and exploitation.
Novi Put will continue to document cases, support survivors and advocate for reforms that make these commitments real.