After the entities, the Brcko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has also adopted the Law on the Registry of Persons Convicted of Sexual Abuse of Children. The new regulation brings stricter control of perpetrators and is an important step in the protection of minors.
Brcko has harmonized its legislation with the rest of BiH and is introducing a registry of persons who have been finally convicted of sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The law clearly defines which acts enter the registry, and the emphasis is on the protection of children as a particularly vulnerable category. The regulation prohibits any contact of convicted persons with minors.
“They include rape, lewd acts, sexual harassment, exploitation, coercion into sexual intercourse, child trafficking, semi-exploitation of a child up to 15 years old, sexual abuse of children older than 15 years, child trafficking,” states Boris Gavric, spokesperson of the Judicial Commission of the Brcko District of BiH.
Implementation of the law requires good cooperation among institutions. Convicted persons may reside in different parts of BiH, so the exchange of data between police agencies is key.
“The Brcko District Police are undertaking all activities necessary for the establishment of the registry, and we will do everything legally, efficiently, and in the best interest of the child,” said the Police of the Brcko District of BiH.
The registry will not be public, but it will be available to courts, the prosecutor’s office, the police, and all institutions that work with children. Authorities who decide on amnesty and pardon also have the right of access.
“All other bodies, institutions, associations, and establishments that, within the scope of their competence, have direct contact with children, or that are authorized by law to perform tasks of child protection,” Gavric explains.
Experts warn that such a registry is indeed important, but that prevention is much broader and requires joint political action. They emphasize – the crime must not be forgotten.
“It is necessary to act politically in a unified manner regarding this phenomenon, in order to create a safer environment. If we have a case where some condemn and others protect, we cannot expect a good result,” concludes psychotherapist M.Sc. Edina Osmic Sadic.
With the establishment of the registry, Brcko joins the rest of the country in the fight against the sexual abuse of children. The message is clear – the safety and protection of the youngest must be an absolute priority.
