On September 17, 2025, representatives of the Association Forgotten Children of War held a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Communal Economy, Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Construction and Environmental Protection of Sarajevo Canton. The meeting focused on the challenges and systemic issues related to the status of children born as a result of wartime sexual violence, with particular emphasis on the right to housing and available forms of support.
During the meeting, representatives of the Ministry explained that there is currently no specific law directly regulating housing rights for this category of civilian victims of war. Housing support is implemented, under current practice, through projects based on decisions of the Government of Sarajevo Canton, with the most recent such decision adopted in 2023. In this process, the Ministry has an advisory role, providing recommendations to the Government of Sarajevo Canton regarding beneficiary categories and scoring criteria. It was also noted that rental subsidies had been available in previous periods.
One of the key conclusions of the meeting was the Ministry’s request to receive an example of an official document confirming the status of a child born as a result of wartime sexual violence. Such a document would serve as a reference for the preparation of future decisions of the Government of Sarajevo Canton, with the aim of defining this category of beneficiaries more precisely and fairly.
Regarding future programs and public calls, Ministry representatives emphasized the importance of regularly monitoring public calls published on the official website of the Government of Sarajevo Canton. It was also highlighted that the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is responsible for initiating relevant legislative solutions, and the Association was encouraged to consider addressing the Sarajevo Canton Assembly directly in order to initiate legislative procedures.
The Association Forgotten Children of War continues its advocacy efforts to improve systemic solutions that will ensure real, long-term, and dignified protection of the rights of children born of war, including their right to safe and adequate housing.
