The Council for Children of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at its third session held on July 4, 2025, discussed key issues related to the protection of children’s rights, particularly in the context of implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the evident challenges in practice. The session included an analysis of submitted initiatives and reports concerning potential violations of children’s rights, resulting in numerous conclusions and recommendations directed at relevant institutions at both the federal and cantonal levels.
Special attention was given to the increasingly pressing issue of the lack of adequate accommodation and healthcare for children with behavioural disorders who require continuous medical care. The Council welcomed the decision of the FB&H Government to establish a working group to develop proposed measures in this area. However, given the urgency of the issue, it recommended that cantonal and federal institutions take immediate action to resolve the issues of the accommodation and treatment of this particularly vulnerable group of children.
The Council also issued a recommendation to the Federal Ministry of Health to urgently draft by-laws as stipulated in Articles 87 and 89 of the Law on Social Protection Institutions of FBiH. These by-laws should clearly regulate the issues of healthcare and insurance for children placed in social protection institutions, as well as establish minimum standards for personnel, facilities, and equipment necessary for providing healthcare.
Additionally, attention was drawn to the inconsistency of cantonal regulations regarding mandatory health insurance for children, particularly those not included in the regular education system. In this context, a recommendation was issued to all cantonal governments and health insurance institutes to harmonize their regulations with the Law on Health Insurance of FBiH, the rulings of the Constitutional Court of FBiH, and international standards.
The Council also responded to an initiative sent by the Association of People with Type 1 Diabetes concerning the quality of glucometers procured through the Health Insurance and Reinsurance Institute of FBiH. A serious health and life risk for children was highlighted due to the potential inaccuracy of the devices. The Federal Ministry of Health and the Institute were urged to urgently review the procurement process and the quality of the glucometers, and to inform the Council of the actions taken within eight days.
Regarding the preparation of by-laws for the implementation of the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence and Violence Against Women, the Council issued a recommendation to the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy that the minimum standards for the operation of safe houses must include clear guidelines for the protection of children’s rights.
The Council also initiated a proposal to amend the Regulation on the Establishment of the Council for Children of the Federation of BiH, which would define the obligation to conduct consultations with children and youth at least once a year, in accordance with international standards on child participation.
On the occasion of marking Children’s Week, which will be held from October 6 to 12, 2025, the Council issued a recommendation to cantonal ministries to support the central event organized by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and to contribute to the unified observance of this week under a common slogan, with the aim of raising awareness about children’s rights and the importance of their protection.
The Council for Children of the Federation of BiH continues to actively work on promoting, protecting, and monitoring the realization of children’s rights, as well as providing recommendations and opinions in the drafting of laws and by-laws related to children.
