Reactions and condemnations have been pouring in following news that a first-year student from the “Reis Ibrahim-efendija Maglajlić” Madrasa was attacked in Banja Luka.
The incident has shaken the public, though there is currently no information regarding the motives behind the attack. The Banja Luka Police Administration is working to establish the facts and clarify the circumstances of the case, while the Madrasa has stated that they remain in constant contact with the student’s family. At the same time, they have appealed to the public to refrain from speculation and the spread of misinformation, in order to protect the privacy of the minor.
Ombudsman Initiates Ex Officio Procedure
Gordana Rajić, the Ombudsman for Children of Republika Srpska (RS), has initiated a procedure regarding the physical assault on a minor in Banja Luka. The procedure was launched ex officio (on the Ombudsman’s own initiative) following reports of the incident.
“Given the seriousness of the allegations and the potential violation of a child’s rights, the Ombudsman for Children has initiated an ex officio procedure to establish the relevant facts and circumstances of the case, as well as to examine the actions taken by the competent institutions. Any form of violence against children is unacceptable and requires a timely, responsible, and coordinated response from the relevant authorities,” stated Rajić.
Separately, the Banja Luka Police Administration confirmed that, on Monday afternoon, they received a report stating that a student from a secondary school in Banja Luka had left the premises and headed in an unknown direction. “He was found around 6:15 PM on the same day, on the promenade along the Vrbas River in Banja Luka, by the person who had reported the minor missing,” stated the Banja Luka Police Administration.
Student found with visible injuries
The student was found in a semi-conscious state, with visible injuries. The University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska (RS) confirmed that the patient was admitted that same day.
“He was brought to our facility’s Emergency Center by an ambulance from the Banja Luka Health Center. The patient underwent diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and, following therapeutic recommendations, was discharged from our facility a day later,” the University Clinical Center of RS announced.
The Banja Luka Madrasa also expressed concern regarding this incident, calling for the event to be clarified as soon as possible.
“The leadership of the Madrasa is in constant contact with the competent institutions and services to establish all the exact circumstances and relevant facts concerning this event,” stated the “Reis Ibrahim-efendija Maglajlić” Madrasa.
Cvijanović: I Condemn the Attack in the Strongest Terms
Following an incident that has shaken the public, reactions have begun to emerge, particularly from the political leadership of Republika Srpska (RS). Željka Cvijanović (SNSD), a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms and called on the competent institutions to establish all the circumstances as soon as possible.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on a student of the ‘Reis Ibrahim-ef. Maglajlić’ Madrasa in Banja Luka. I expect the competent institutions to clarify all the circumstances of this attack as quickly as possible, and to bring those responsible to justice and impose appropriate sanctions,” stated Cvijanović.
The Mayor of Banja Luka, Draško Stanivuković (PDP), also responded, emphasizing that there must be no place for violence in the city.
“Banja Luka is a city where there is no place—and must be no place—for violence of any kind. The news of an attack on a Madrasa student in Banja Luka is deeply concerning and deserves the strongest condemnation. The safety of every individual—especially our children and young people—must be inviolable, regardless of who they are or where they come from,” declared Stanivuković.
An Appeal to Protect the Privacy of Minors
The “Reis Ibrahim-efendija Maglajlić” Madrasa urges the public to refrain from speculation until the police complete their investigation and establish the precise motives behind the attack.
A statement from the Ombudsman for Children further emphasizes that the publication of details regarding family circumstances, personal situations, or other information that could lead to the identification of a child may further compromise the child’s privacy and dignity, and expose them to secondary victimization.
