UNICEF and the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with IC “Lotos” Tuzla and World Vision Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized a joint event “For every child, equal opportunities”, which took place on 11 April 2018 at the UN building, Sarajevo. The aim was to exchange information, and to discuss and agree on joint strategies for promoting the rights of children with disabilities.

You can download the press release regarding this event below.

PRESS RELEASE

Sarajevo, 11.04.2018.

Children with difficulties in Bosnia and Herzegovina should be ensured to fully realize their potential

For every child, equal chances

“Every child with disabilities has the right to inclusion without difficulties,” emphasized Ana Kotur, a lawyer and human rights activist, in her opening speech during today’s event. “For Every Child, Equal Opportunities” is the title of the joint event organized by UNICEF and the Delegation of the European Union to BiH, in cooperation with the Information Center for Persons with Disabilities “Lotos” Tuzla and World Vision International in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The participants were presented with the key messages of the Analysis of the Situation of Children with Disabilities, which was carried out by UNICEF within the framework of a project co-financed by the European Union. After listening to the life stories of children with disabilities, the participants discussed and agreed on the next steps to help children with disabilities achieve their full potential.

The workshop focused on the need to ensure access to quality inclusive services for all children. This includes early childhood development and interventions, inclusive education and social protection services. Ensuring better protection of children from violence, abuse and neglect is also a priority. The analysis showed that these are precisely the areas in which children with disabilities continue to face obstacles and various forms of discrimination. All participants, including children with disabilities and their parents, representatives of government institutions, non-governmental and international organizations, agreed on concrete steps to ensure that every child with disabilities can get a real chance in life.

Minister for Human Rights and Refugees of BiH Semiha Borovac emphasized the commitment to achieving the highest standards in the implementation of rights for every child. "The role of the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees is not only reporting to international institutions, but also continuously monitoring the state of children's rights in Bosnia and Herzegovina and advocating for further progress," emphasized Minister Borovac.

UNICEF Representative Geeta Narayan spoke about the importance of social inclusion for the entire society. “Social inclusion – ensuring that all children have equal access to schools, health services, social protection, etc. – all of these benefit both children with and without developmental disabilities. Through social inclusion, children learn to be more compassionate and open to opinions about differences. We need to involve everyone – children, parents, civil society, government actors, decision-makers, in order to realize the rights of every child in BiH,” said UNICEF Representative Geeta Narayan.

"One of the key directions of action should be fully inclusive education. In practical terms, this means that children with developmental disabilities are not segregated into special schools, but rather receive education with their peers. This practice is good for both children with disabilities and those without disabilities, because it teaches them how to be more compassionate, open-minded and able to see that other children are also trying, learning and gaining knowledge. We must work with everyone - with children, parents, teachers, principals, decision-makers and lawmakers, different levels of government and everyone else, if we want to sincerely change the attitude towards children with developmental disabilities, because there is still a degree of stigma and discrimination against such children in BiH, but also in my country," said UNICEF representative Geeta Narayan.

The Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation in BiH, Melvin Asin, emphasized the EU's commitment to improving the position of children with different abilities in BiH. "I am convinced that the conclusions and recommendations from the Analysis of the situation of children with developmental difficulties in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was obtained by this project, will be a step forward in realizing the rights of children with different abilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A systemic solution should be introduced throughout the country to ensure equal access to health services and education for children with different abilities. Also, it is vital for both the child and his parents to get the right kind of help in a timely manner - it is our duty to help them," said Asin.

"Children with developmental disabilities need comprehensive and flexible support with the aim of equal participation in society with other children. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the level of the regulatory framework, significant progress has been made, but children with disabilities still face significant obstacles in accessing available and quality services on a daily basis," said Suvad Zahirović, Director of the Information Center for Persons with Disabilities "Lotos" Tuzla.

“Ensuring that the voices of children with disabilities, their parents and advocates are heard should increase understanding and respect for the barriers they face, reduce stigma and prejudice, and contribute to improving the quality of life of this vulnerable group. Inclusion and strong cooperation of all relevant stakeholders to provide all children in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially the most vulnerable, with fair opportunities, adequate protection, recognition and encouragement to participate based on their invaluable abilities should be the shared mission of every person in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Dragana Bulić, Director of External Positioning at World Vision Western Balkans.

In April 2017, Bosnia and Herzegovina received a set of recommendations from the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities based on the Report submitted in 2016. The latest situation analyses, conducted by UNICEF and World Vision International, have further confirmed the alarming situation of children with disabilities in BiH, with constant challenges. Both entities in BiH have adopted Strategies for the Improvement of the Rights and Position of Persons with Disabilities. Despite the progress made, children with disabilities and their families continue to face discrimination, are often denied their rights and still face limited access to basic rights and services, including non-inclusive education. UNICEF is implementing a multi-country project funded by the EU, with the aim of protecting children from violence and improving the social inclusion of children with disabilities in the Western Balkans. In cooperation with the European Disability Forum (EDF), the Information Center for Persons with Disabilities "Lotos" Tuzla, as well as organizations of persons with disabilities and Parents' Associations, it is planned to develop an Action Plan for Advocacy for the Rights of Children with Disabilities at the BiH level.

Contact for additional information:

Nela Kačmarčik, UNICEF BiH nkacmarcik@unicef.org; 061192084

Goran Đemidžić, UNICEF BiH gdjemidzic@unicef.org