Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have several options beyond filing complaints with the Agency for the Protection of Personal Data, although many may not be aware of them, says attorney Emina Zahirović-Pintarić. She advises both individuals and organizations on data protection and privacy, highlighting that unauthorized use of personal data can be addressed through criminal complaints. However, citizens must initiate these actions themselves, as authorities do not do so automatically. Zahirović-Pintarić shares her personal experience, where her private information was exposed online, posing a potential risk to her family. She discovered her data was sourced from public registers and has since requested its removal, with plans to pursue legal action if necessary.

Understanding the difference between contributions and taxes is crucial, says lawyer Emina Zahirović Pintarić. Contributions fund social insurance benefits like illness or disability compensation, directly benefiting the contributor. In contrast, taxes are state-imposed payments without specific benefits.

Freelancers, despite paying both income tax and social insurance contributions, are denied the benefits these contributions should provide, unlike traditional employees. This creates an unfair situation where freelancers fund the system without receiving its protections, such as access to health insurance.

Emina Zahirović-Pintarić, representing OECD/SIGMA, highlighted the complexity of the vehicle registration process in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where over 1.2 million vehicles are subject to 15 different administrative procedures. She emphasized that these procedures, governed by various regional regulations, lead to inconsistencies in the cost of vehicle registration across the country. Zahirović-Pintarić’s insights underscore the need for coordinated efforts to streamline these processes, aiming to make vehicle registration more efficient and uniform throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Lawyer Emina Zahirović Pintarić highlights that the legal status of languages in educational institutions across Bosnia and Herzegovina is inconsistent and often discriminatory. While the Constitution of Bosnia and Herzegovina emphasizes the importance of constituent nations and their languages, cantonal constitutions frequently deviate from this principle, leading to the marginalization of certain languages, particularly Bosnian and Serbian, and their associated scripts. Zahirović Pintarić emphasizes that this inconsistency violates constitutional rights, particularly in Republika Srpska, where the right to use and name one’s language is being undermined.

Lawyer Emina Zahirović Pintarić highlights that while Bosnia and Herzegovina is slowly aligning its laws with EU integration priorities, particularly regarding the rights of vulnerable groups like the LGBT community, implementation remains lacking. Despite legal advancements, including the adoption of an Action Plan on LGBTIQ rights, practical enforcement is weak, with issues such as insufficient prosecution of hate crimes and the lack of recognition for same-sex couples’ rights. Additionally, recent incidents, such as the ban on the LGBTIQ pride parade in Banja Luka, underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the community. Zahirović Pintarić believes that the state’s commitment to these reforms is questionable and will likely be delayed until absolutely necessary.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Srpska reversed its previous decision and agreed to provide the legal team of the BiH Pride Parade with information about the police officers involved in the incident. Lawyer Emina Zahirović-Pintarić expressed surprise at this move, as they expected continued resistance. This development is crucial for initiating proceedings against the officers and for the attacked activists to seek damages.

The Ministry now has a 30-day deadline to deliver the names, a key step in holding the officers accountable for their negligence during the attack.

Lawyer Emina Zahirović-Pintarić, a member of the Organizing Committee of the “BiH Pride Parade,” highlights that despite the rejection of criminal charges against RS President Milorad Dodik and Banja Luka Mayor Draško Stanivuković for inciting hatred and violence against the LGBTQ community, the legal team was not informed about the order to halt the investigation. Zahirović-Pintarić also emphasizes that the committee has appealed to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, accusing Republika Srpska of failing to protect the LGBTQ community from violence. She notes that some attackers boasted on social media, making it easy for the prosecution to identify suspects.

Emina Zahirović Pintarić, a representative of the Pride Parade, criticizes the RS Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) for claiming they have not received a binding verdict, despite 45 days having passed since it was issued. She views this as a deliberate tactic to avoid complying with the court’s decision, which mandates the release of information requested by the Pride Parade. Zahirović Pintarić argues that the MUP is using the Law on the Protection of Personal Data of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an excuse to withhold information about police officers who were acting in their official capacity, despite the clear public interest in ensuring accountability and safety for all citizens. She emphasizes that the Pride Parade will continue to push for the enforcement of this verdict, refusing to allow the MUP to evade their obligations.

Emina Z. Pintaric, a lawyer and panelist at the upcoming “Regional Conference on SLAPP Lawsuits,” will address the growing issue of SLAPP lawsuits in the region, which are used to intimidate and silence journalists and activists. Croatia leads in the number of these lawsuits, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. These lawsuits, designed to exhaust their targets financially and emotionally, are not yet recognized in the legal systems of these countries. Pintaric will explore strategies for defending against SLAPP lawsuits and discuss the need for an effective ANTI-SLAPP strategy at the conference in Banja Luka on December 10.