Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Call for End to Institutionalizing People with Disabilities

A Call for Action: Bosnia and Herzegovina Should Stop Institutionalizing People with Disabilities

The Shocking Video and Its Implications

Last week, Al Jazeera Balkans released a disturbing video depicting a staff member at the state-run institution Pazarić, near Sarajevo, physically abusing a young man with a disability. The video quickly sparked public outrage and led to protests, resulting in the staff member’s dismissal. However, the government’s response to the video raises further concerns.

The Threat of Criminal Charges

The Minister of Labour and Social Policy of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina threatened criminal charges not only against the staff member but also against those who filmed and shared the video. While the intention may have been to expose and put an end to the long-standing abuse in the institution, this approach may have unintended consequences.

Threatening individuals with criminal charges for exposing abuse creates a climate of fear and discourages others from coming forward to publicize similar incidents in the future. The focus should be on addressing the root causes of abuse rather than punishing those who shed light on it.

Institutionalization: The Real Issue

Although the government took immediate action against the staff member involved in the abuse, they failed to tackle the fundamental problem: the institutionalization of people with disabilities. The video from 2019, also from Pazarić, revealed children with disabilities tied to furniture, some with their hands restrained behind their backs, and others held in straitjackets or tied to beds and radiators.

While criminal sentences, public outrage, and protests are crucial for accountability, they alone cannot eradicate abuse if the practice of institutionalizing people with disabilities continues. Institutions inherently create a power imbalance that can easily lead to neglect, inhumane treatment, and violence. To truly address the issue, the Bosnian government must demand an end to institutionalization.

International Obligations and Community Support

As a state party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with the authorities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, have an obligation to protect people with disabilities from violence and neglect. They must ensure their right to live in the community, alongside their fellow citizens.

This can only be achieved by investing in community living and support services that allow children with disabilities to remain with their families and enable adults to be active members of their communities, rather than being isolated behind locked doors. Breaking the cycle of rights violations and abuse requires a holistic approach that prioritizes inclusion and integration.

A Global Issue

Unfortunately, the situation at Pazarić is not unique. Similar abuses occur daily in institutions worldwide. As long as individuals with disabilities are confined and segregated in such institutions, their vulnerability to abuse persists. It is essential that governments worldwide address this systemic issue and commit to inclusive and community-based support systems.

The human rights community has been advocating for an end to the institutionalization of people with disabilities for a decade. This article serves as another plea to recognize the urgency and take concrete action. Let us all work together to ensure the rights and dignity of all individuals, irrespective of their abilities, are protected and respected.

Inclusion-wordpress,BosniaandHerzegovina,disabilities,institutionalization,callforaction