In an interview with Objavi.ba, BCSDN Head of Policy and Advocacy Anja Bosilkova-Antovska discussed the rising issue of SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation), as highlighted in BCSDN’s first regional research on the topic. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia rank among the top ten European countries for the frequency of SLAPP cases. Anja explained that these lawsuits are used by powerful entities to silence critics, including activists, journalists, and CSOs. She highlighted that the number of SLAPP cases is growing rapidly in the region, with BiH alone recording 53 cases in 2023. Anja also discussed the need for anti-SLAPP laws and better public awareness to combat these legal tactics. Without proper intervention, she warned, SLAPPs could further erode freedom of speech and weaken democratic societies in the region. Read the full interview here.
Source: objavi.ba