BCSDN condemns the adoption of the Law on the Special Registry and Transparency of the Work of Non-Profit Organizations in the National Assembly of Republika Srpska (RS)—one of the two entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Known as the ‘foreign agents’ law, it was passed on February 27, and later published in the Official Gazete, without meaningful public debate, despite widespread opposition from civil society, international organizations, and legal experts. Previously withdrawn in 2024 due to pressure to align with European standards, its urgent reintroduction and passage—alongside three other laws—underscore the government’s ongoing strategy to suppress dissent and restrict civic space.
What the Foreign Agents Law Means in Practice
The law requires mandatory registration for all non-profits receiving foreign funding, branding them as ‘foreign agents’ and imposing restrictions on political activities—without clear definitions or transparent criteria. Unlike the 2024 draft law, the new version formalizes and expands restrictions, reinforcing the government’s ability to control and dismantle independent civil society. By expanding state power to inspect, regulate, and even dissolve organizations, the law fosters a hostile environment for independent civil society in Republika Srpska.
This law is part of a broader crackdown on civic space in Republika Srpska, complementing restrictive defamation laws, attacks on independent media, and escalating pressure on civil society organizations. CSOs now face a stark choice: self-censorship or legal and financial repercussions. Independent associations are barred from engaging in policy discussions, further isolating civil society from democratic processes. This intensification of repression not only stifles activism in Republika Srpska but also sends a chilling message to civil society across Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. Laws restricting foreign funding for civil society have, in other countries, triggered broader regulations affecting businesses, foreign investors, diaspora, and international NGOs, raising serious concerns about the long-term consequences of such measures.
International Response and the Need for Renewed Action
The passage of this law contradicts Bosnia and Herzegovina’s international human rights obligations, particularly under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and its EU accession commitments. Over the past two years, the European Commission, Venice Commission, OSCE, UN bodies, and the Council of Europe have repeatedly warned that repressive laws in Republika Srpska endanger fundamental freedoms. BCSDN has on several occasions urged national authorities and the international community to take action against these restrictions, warning of the severe implications for CSOs in the entity and the dangerous spillover effects across the region. Despite this, the RS government has intensified its anti-democratic trajectory rather than reversing course.
With the reintroduction of the foreign agents’ law in Republika Srpska and the hints about its adoption in other countries in the region, BCSDN reaffirms its concerns over its impact on civil society, BiH’s EU integration path, and democracy. We join BiH CSOs in urging the Council of Peoples to stop the restrictive law and calls on authorities to halt retaliatory actions that violate the constitutions of Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
Considering clear violations of international obligations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly Republika Srpska, institutions that have previously warned against shrinking civic space should renew their calls for the law’s repeal, closely monitor its enforcement, and pursue legal avenues to uphold European human rights standards. BCSDN calls on the European Union, Council of Europe, OSCE, UN bodies, and other international actors to take decisive action against this law and its impact on civic space in Republika Srpska. The European Union must reaffirm that respect for fundamental rights, including freedom of association, is central to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s democratic progress and European integration.
As a regional network promoting a more enabling environment for civil society, BCSDN remains committed to monitoring how the situation evolves, supporting civil society across the Western Balkans, mobilizing solidarity, and advocating for the protection of democratic values and human rights.