Central question of the working round table: „Strategic litigation as a Tool Against Discrimination: Ranges and limitations in the BiH context“ held on Friday, 29th of April 2016 was how stakeholders can use the mechanism of strategic litigation in fighting and preventing discrimination.  Round table gave it’s view on mandatory conditions successful strategic litigation from filing to decision in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region as well as on capacities and perspectives of NGO’s role in the litigation that are strategically important.

Aleksandra Ivanković, researcher at the project, said that the goal of strategic litigation is eliminating social anomalies that are deep-rooted in society and are visible in normalization of discriminatory treatment of marginalized groups. 

During the round table many participants underlined that strategic litigation can initiate social changes which are essential for the process of further democratization.

„Strategic litigation its self is a kind of mechanism which can lead to law changes in a way that it will be  precedent through concrete case“, said Emir Prcanović, executive director of Vaša prava BiH.

One of the panelists, Kosana Beker assistant to the trustee for the equality defense in Serbia told people are often unaware that they are discriminating someone which gives even bigger importance to strategic litigation which raises awareness about discrimination.

President of the Municipality court Žepče Dragica Dragičević talked from the perspective of courts in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Judge Dragičević said that strategic litigation should encourage consistent application of the law or its improvements. “Strategic litigation should bring social changes”, underlined judge Dragičević.

Round table was organized within the project:  “Equality for All: Civil Society Coalition against Discrimination“. Project is implemented by Mediacentar Sarajevo, Analitika – Center for Social Research, Rights for All and Vaša prava BiH. This project is financed by USAID and Open Society Fund Bosnia and Herzegovina.