Despite ongoing efforts by civil society, activists, and academia, the anti-defamation law was passed in Republika Srpska on 20 July, sparking international criticism. This is not the sole threat to Bosnia and Herzegovina democratic freedoms. Republika Srpska’s proposed “foreign agents” law, utilized to stifle critical voices is another risk. Criminalizing defamation and introducing the “foreign agent law” threaten independent civil society, suppress dissent, and erode democratic principles that could further destabilize the region. BCSDN delivers a blog post to raise awareness and calls for united action among regional stakeholders. The aim is to prevent the implementation of laws which are contrary to the international standards, protecting societies from potential harm. The piece has been widely circulated and shared on the European Western Balkans web portal. Read more here.
Source: BCSDN/ European Western Balkans