Bosnia and Herzegovina
| Performance Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Understanding of anti-personnel mine contamination (20% of overall score) | 5 |
| National ownership and programme management (10% of overall score) | 5 |
| Gender (10% of overall score) | 4 |
| Information management and reporting (10% of overall score) | 6 |
| Planning and tasking (10% of overall score) | 7 |
| Land release system (20% of overall score) | 7 |
| Land release outputs and Article 5 compliance (20% of overall score) | 6 |
| Performance score | 5.8 |
Key Developments
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) doubled its land release output in 2022 compared to the previous year and met its clearance target for the year as set out in its 2020 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) Article 5 deadline extension request. However, its non-technical survey (NTS) output continues to be significantly lower than is required for timely completion of clearance. BiH is not on course to complete clearance by its current Article 5 deadline and was planning to set a new deadline in the course of 2023, following a mid-term review of its National Mine Action Strategy 2018–2025.
Recommendations for Action
- The BiH Mine Action Centre (BHMAC) should promptly establish a revised completion deadline that is both achievable and realistic and develop a detailed and costed multiyear work plan with attainable and measurable milestones aligned with an updated national mine action strategy.
- The amended demining law drafted in 2017, which had still to be adopted as of writing, should be revised and re-submitted to Parliament for adoption. Liability policy and clearly defining “all reasonable effort” in the context of BiH should be discussed in parallel with the revision.
- BiH should strengthen the governance and management of its mine action programme by improving communication and coordination with clearance operators and other key stakeholders, including through the re-establishment of a “Country Coalition” approach and technical working groups (TWGs).
- BHMAC should fully adopt international best practice in land release and ensure that all stakeholders in all parts of BiH, including BHMAC’s regional offices, are empowered to use evidence-based survey to confirm and delineate areas of actual contamination prior to clearance.
- BHMAC should detail the steps it plans to take to further mainstream gender and diversity within its mine action programme and improve gender balance in the sector, at the least by meeting the target of 40% female staff set by the 2003 Law on Gender Equality.
Download the full "Clearing the Mines 2023" report for BiH
Click here to download the "Clearing the Mines 2023" report for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
