Prlić: Create a register of pedophiles and other offenders against children and minors

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Lana Prlić, a representative of the Social Democratic Party of BiH in the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, has submitted a proposal for the Law on the Special Register of Persons Finally Convicted of
criminal offenses against sexual freedom and morality against children and minors in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The law pertains to the introduction of a register containing data on persons convicted of criminal offenses against sexual freedom, the SDP BiH announced.

The establishment of this type of register has become an international legal standard and obligation for countries that have ratified the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, and Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the countries that have ratified the Convention.

"This Law would apply to persons finally convicted of criminal offenses such as rape, coercion to sexual intercourse, lewd acts, sexual intercourse with a child, sexual intercourse with a helpless person, gratification of lust before a child or minor, inducing prostitution, and the like," said Prlić.

She also adds that the register would contain personal data as well as the offense committed, photographs, and measures.

The register is permanent, and the data can be provided to the court, the prosecutor's office, as well as to bodies, organizations, and institutions that have direct contact with children, all with the aim of protecting the rights and interests of children.

"This register also imposes an obligation that, when hiring persons who have contact with children, employers check whether that person is in this Register," adds Prlić.