Bosnia and Herzegovina still lacks a state-level Law on Citizens’ Initiative, leaving citizens without a unified framework for direct participation in decision-making. The Aarhus Centre in BiH has submitted a draft law to the Parliamentary Assembly, aiming to establish clear rules for launching citizens’ initiatives and ensure that institutions respond to issues of public interest. The proposal also introduces Anti-SLAPP protections for citizens, activists and journalists, seeking to prevent legal proceedings from being used to intimidate, financially exhaust or silence those participating in public debate. The Anti-SLAPP provisions draw on the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive and international practice, adapted to BiH’s legal framework. The initiative follows previous attempts at the Federation level and seeks to provide citizens with meaningful mechanisms to participate, propose and demand accountability beyond election cycles. Read more here.
Source: mreza za izgradju mira