On behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, CTED conducted a three-day follow-up visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 18 to 20 April 2017, to discuss its progress in implementing Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005) and Council resolution 2178 (2014), on stemming the flow of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs).
The discussions with the Government focused on legislation and judicial practice, counter-financing of terrorism, law enforcement, border control, international cooperation, countering violent extremism that leads to terrorism, the role of women in countering terrorism and violent extremism, and the need for rule-of-law-based responses to terrorism.
The delegation welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Strategy for Preventing and Combating Terrorism (2015-2020), including its Framework Action Plan (adopted by the Council of Ministers in October 2016) and discussed with the Government ways to ensure their effective implementation.
The delegation also visited Sarajevo International Airport to assess border-control and border-management measures, including measures to stem the FTF flow.
The Government noted that its measures had significantly reduced the number of travellers leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina for conflict zones in Syria and Iraq.
Bosnia and Herzegovina reaffirmed its strong commitment to countering terrorism in all its aspects, including FTFs and returnees, the links between terrorism and transnational organized crime (including illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons and human beings), and abuse of the Internet and social media for terrorist purposes.
The delegation was also informed about measures taken to prevent radicalization and strengthen international and regional cooperation.
In addition to CTED experts, the delegation included representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and UN Women.
The delegation also met bilaterally with technical assistance providers and implementing partners.