Effective co-operation between prosecutors and police is essential to protect journalists and uphold freedom of expression.

On 29-30 October in Neum, 21 prosecutors and police officers from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are designated points of contact for the safety of journalists, gained critical skills and strategies to strengthen protections for journalists through specialized training.

The training covered key Council of Europe standards, including the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and Recommendation CM(2016)4 on the protection of journalism and the safety of journalists and other media actors., Participants also gained new insights regarding improving the prosecution of cases of threats against journalists through the presentation of the experience of the Permanent Working Group for the Safety of Journalists from Serbia. Prompt reaction from police and prosecutors in cases related to journalists’ safety was emphasised as one of the most important segments of efficient protection.

In addition, participants had the opportunity to analyse in small groups the specific Guidelines for the points of contact in Bosnia and Herzegovina, adopted by the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year, that are introducing new measures for the more efficient prosecution of the threats against journalists. Those measures primarily provide  a clear distinction of the threats against journalists from other crimes, that require prompt reaction of the police and prosecutors, and an urgent investigation.  The participants recognised the importance of the collaboration of prosecutors, police investigators, journalists, and media actors into ensure better protection.  Moreover, they acknowledged the efforts of PROFREX to enhance the capacities of all groups of professionals in Bosnia and Herzegovina in this regard. 

The action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PROFREX)”, implemented by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression of the Council of Europe, is part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.