In response to recent civic space threats in Republika Srpska (RS), Bosnia and Herzegovina, following amendments to the Republika Srpska Criminal Code re-criminalizing defamation and the recent adoption of the draft ‘foreign agents’ law, BCSDN urged the national authorities in the RS entity to reverse harmful policies and actions targeting civic actors. BCSDN has advocated towards the EU and international community in the region to raise awareness and push back against authorities’ nationalistic tendencies in order to protect civic space and fundamental rights, and to uphold Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to meeting the European Union’s democratic standards, reinforcing its candidacy for EU membership.
Amplifying the regional civil society’s voice on this issue, we connected with diverse stakeholders, seeking their contribution to mobilize broader solidarity, support, and pressure for a positive change.
Leveraging our collaboration with CIVICUS and our ongoing commitment as a regional research partner to the CIVICUS Monitor, monitoring developments related to freedom of association, assembly, and expression in the Balkan countries, BCSDN’s consistent reporting and timely alerts have put Bosnia and Herzegovina on the most recent Monitor watchlist – a list of countries where a rapid deterioration in civic freedoms is noted. In this response, a press release and a research brief were published, providing an overview of the civic space situation in the country and raising concerns about the nation’s democratic trajectory and adherence to international human rights standards.
Our reaction has also gathered attention from both national and regional media. In an opinion piece for the European Western Balkans media platform, we addressed the critical issue: “Two Controversial Laws Pose a Threat to Civic Space in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Why Should Anyone Be Concerned?”. The piece focuses on the enactment of the anti-defamation law in Republika Srpska, exploring its potential consequences for freedom of expression and media independence, along with its broader implications for civic space in the region. It also addresses the ongoing initiatives to implement a ‘foreign agents’ law.
To underscore the urgency of the issue, we submitted a complaint to the United Nations Special Rapporteurs on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In late October, the Special Rapporteurs expressed concerns regarding the draft Republika Srpska Law on the Special Registry and Publicity of the Work on Non-Profit Organizations, emphasizing that the proposed legislation would impose undue restrictions inconsistent with international human rights standards. The reaction further points to the lack of consultation with NGOs and potential human rights implications underlying the necessity for RS authorities to reconsider the legislation.
Major international actors, including the European Commission for Democracy Through Law (the Venice Commission) and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as national and regional media outlets have expressed their opinions and recommendations on the issue. HERE, we present some of their reactions.
As a regional network working on promoting a more enabling civil society environment, we commit to continuously monitor the situation on this issue, raising awareness among various stakeholders, building alliances with different partners, and leading advocacy efforts toward national authorities and all important stakeholders in the region.