Representatives of the Association Forgotten Children of War held a meeting with the Minister of Justice, Administration and Local Self-Government of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC), Goran Karanović, Assistant Minister Jasmin Sultanić, and the Director of the Cantonal Institute for Free Legal Aid of the HNC, Aida Zerem. The meeting was also attended by Tajma Bešo from the Stolac Centre for Social Work.
The main topic of the meeting was the HNC Law on Free Legal Aid and a proposed amendment that would explicitly include civilian victims of war, including a specific category of civilian victims—children born as a result of wartime rape—as beneficiaries of the right to free legal aid. The amendment was presented and explained in detail, with particular emphasis on harmonising cantonal legislation with the Federal Law on the Protection of Civilian Victims of War. The work and mission of the Association were also presented at the beginning of the meeting.
The Minister raised the question of whether this was a “symbolic right” or whether there was a genuine practical need. The representatives of the Association explained that, although the number of children is small, there is a clear need for a legal basis in order to avoid legal uncertainty and inconsistent practice. The discussion also included the experience of the Centre for Social Work in Stolac in working with civilian victims of war.
The Director of the Institute presented the work of the Cantonal Institute, its current capacity, and the challenges it faces, particularly regarding financial resources. Nevertheless, it was clear that the Institute is motivated to provide support to children born of wartime sexual violence, in line with the needs of the population in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
Both the Minister and the Director clearly expressed their support for the proposed amendment. Further communication and continued cooperation were agreed upon regarding the Association’s future activities in the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton.
