In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNHCR is providing free legal aid through one local NGO partner, the Association Vaša Prava BiH (Vaša Prava).
This service includes the provision of free legal information and legal counselling for all, and, under specific conditions, legal representation to access the territory and the asylum procedure, during and after the asylum procedure, including to access your rights.
Vaša Prava can be contacted directly at their free number: 0 800 2222 5 (no internet access required), through WhatsApp, Viber: +387 61 102 034, +387 61 102 035 or +387 33 789 105, or by email: [email protected]
It is recommended to contact Vaša Prava in order to book an appointment first but in case of emergency and if you are not able to use any of these means, you can also directly go to the Vaša Prava main office in Sarajevo located on Safeta Hadžića 66 A, in 71000 Sarajevo. For other locations, kindly consult their website.
Please note also that Vaša Prava BiH is present on duty at several reception centres in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the following schedule (subject to change – consult website or info boards in the reception centers):
- Ušivak and Blažuj Temporary Reception Centres – Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 to 12:30
- Lipa and Borići Temporary Reception Centres – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 15:00
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, free legal aid can also be provided by public services. Among the institutions authorised to provide free legal aid in Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNHCR is mostly collaborating with the Office for Provision of Free Legal Aid of the Ministry of Justice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Cantonal Office for Provision of Free Legal Aid of Canton Sarajevo, and the Cantonal Office for Provision of Free Legal Aid of Una Sana Canton.
UNHCR is referring you to the websites of these institutions for information about their contact, address, working hours, and the conditions to access legal aid.
Please note also that the provision of legal aid by public services should also be free of charge, unless specified otherwise on the websites of the institutions.