ANNUAL REPORT ON THE RESULTS OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA This special report „aims to explain the purpose of introducing the prohibition of corporal punishment of children, whereby such punishment does not necessarily mean only the disciplining of the child, or punishment by a parent, sibling, guardian or adoptive parent, but also implies the creation of better conditions for the so-called positive parenting, or parenting without using violent methods of child education and discipline “. By this report, Ombudspersons wanted to contribute to the protection of the rights of the child, within their mandate and authority, so that the executive and legislate bodies would give serious consideration to the express prohibition of the corporal punishment of children. Recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child 351 oblige Bosnia and Herzegovina to take all necessary actions to fully prohibit corporal punishment of children in all settings, including the family. In their Special report on prohibition of corporal punishment of children in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ombudspersons recommend to the Government of the Republika Srpska, Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Government of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina and governments of the Cantons: In line with their legal authority and powers, and through their competent ministries, in the forthcoming period, propose to the relevant parliaments to adopt statutory provisions which will expressly prohibit corporal punishment of children in all settings, including the domestic setting, at all levels where such prohibition has not yet been introduced; Conduct all necessary activities, through their competent ministries, to raise public awareness through educational programs, including campaigns, with the aim of promoting positive and alternative forms of child discipline and respect for children’s rights, with involvement of children and raise awareness about the adverse consequences of corporal punishment of children; Competent authorities are invited to inform the Ombudspersons within one year on all actions taken in relation to the recommendations of the Ombudspersons and on the effects of the recommendation. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the problem of peer violence is still present, which is evident from the cases registered in the Institution. Received complaints show that most cases relate to verbal violence in primary and secondary schools. Peer violence most often occurs at school, during vacations, in classrooms, in hallways or in the backyard. The role of adults responsible for children is crucial to respond appropriately and prevent violence. Below we illustrate examples of good and bad practices when it comes to dealing with children. Example: The Ombudsman received a complaint 352 of a mother of a child victim of peer violence in a primary school in Banja Luka area. In the course of its investigation the Ombudsman was informed by the School administration that the complainant's child had never approached the teacher or the school's professional staff and possibly indicated that she had been provoked or exposed to violence in school. On the other hand, they pointed to certain incidental situations in 351 Concluding remarks on the combined fifth and sixth report of Bosnia and Herzegovina dated 30 September 2019 adopted by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child at its 82nd Session (9-27September 2019 352 Ž-BL-01-229/19 85