Country Overview
Bosnia and Herzegovina
At a glance
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Bosnia and Herzegovina presents a deeply polarized landscape for LGBTIQ people’s rights, characterized by stagnation in the Federation and active regression in Republika Srpska. While same-sex sexual activity is legal, recent legislative moves in Republika Srpska have severely undermined protections. Legal gender recognition is possible but pathologized in the Federation, requiring full medical transition, while the legislative hostility in Republika Srpska puts this right at risk for residents there. Bosnia ranks 144th out of 175 on the Global Acceptance Index, which measures countries’ average LGBTI Acceptance Index Score in 2017-2020.
In a significant rollback of rights, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska amended its criminal code in March 2025 to remove “gender identity” as a protected characteristic, effectively stripping trans people of legal protection against hate crimes and hate speech. This followed the passage of a controversial “foreign agents” law in February 2025, officially known as the Law on the Special Registry and Transparency of the Work of Non-Profit Organizations, which stigmatizes NGOs receiving international funding and threatens the operations of human rights defenders.
Violence and impunity remain critical issues. Authorities have failed to hold perpetrators accountable for the violent mob attack on LGBTIQ activists in Banja Luka in March 2023, creating a chilling effect on activism in the region. Anti-LGBTIQ political rhetoric persists. However, in 2024, the Central Electoral Commission fined the former president of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, for using homophobic language in a political rally. BiH Pride continues to be held annually in Sarajevo. The 2025 march was held under the motto “Love Rules” and focused on key demands related to legal gender recognition, relationship recognition, the prohibition of hate crimes, and inclusive access to education and health care. The Council of Ministers extended its “Action Plan to Improve the State of Human Rights of LGBTI People” (originally 2021–2023) through the end of 2025 due to minimal implementation.
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