News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Visa systems in Europe’s Schengen area create major barriers for human rights defenders (HRDs) from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, preventing their participation in key decision-making forums, Amnesty International said in its new report Closing the door? How visa policies in Europe’s Schengen area fail human rights defenders. The report shows that HRDs from
Read more →At the OGP Global Summit in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, BCSDN urged stronger action against tactics undermining democracy in the Western Balkans. Executive Director Biljana Spasovska warned that civil society faces restrictive laws and covert attacks, including smear campaigns and arbitrary inspections, draining resources and chilling civic space. She stressed that “performative participation” turns civil society involvement
Read more →A coalition of NGOs, including the European Civic Forum and FIDH, has condemned the violent repression of peaceful protests supporting the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Palestinian people. They called on EU leaders to protect the fundamental rights to assembly, association, and expression ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 20 October. The groups
Read more →The Internal Market (IMCO) Committee has voted on the proposed Foreign Interest Representation Directive, which aims for transparency in lobbying by non-EU countries. Civil Society Europe (CSE) has cautiously welcomed the outcome, noting that the draft included improvements, such as strengthened protections for academic and media freedom. However, for CSOs, key issues remain. CSE warned
Read more →The Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) has released a Policy Brief summarizing the outcomes of the High-Level Multi-Stakeholder Side Event of the Berlin Process on Anti-Corruption and Good Governance (Sarajevo, Oct 6, 2025). The brief calls for accelerated ratification of the International Treaty on Exchange of Data for Asset Declarations and the adoption of the Regional
Read more →Youth participation in European elections is at a historic low, with support for far-right parties rising, especially among young men. Despite being well-educated, Millennials and Generation Z are disengaged from politics. In 2024, only 36% of 15–24-year-olds voted, compared to 58% of those over 55. Young people cite the cost of living, housing, and jobs
Read more →A new report by Index on Censorship, From Survivor to Defendant, reveals how survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the UK and Ireland are being targeted with Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). Since the #MeToo movement, survivors and journalists have faced legal threats from those accused, with courts sometimes used to continue
Read more →A new study, based on CSOs in Czechia, Hungary, and Bulgaria, reveals that a CSO’s ability to withstand political hostility and funding withdrawal is determined primarily by its internal attributes, not just the external environment. Analyzing CSOs that faced pressure between 2010 and 2019, the research highlights that while many organizations reduced staff or replaced
Read more →A new report, “Next Wave: How Religious Extremism Regains Power,” reveals that European anti-gender movements spent $1.2 billion between 2019 and 2023 to target women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQI+ rights, and secular education. CSOs must be aware that this funding, sourced from the US, Russia, Hungary, and other European sources, supports the professionalization of these movements.
Read more →Spyware has emerged as a major threat to human rights and a tool for societal control, undermining privacy under the guise of national security. The book A Privacy Nightmare: Understanding Spyware explores the technical evolution of spyware to sophisticated systems like Pegasus and NoviSpy, its unregulated legal status, and its impact on democracy. Experts argue
Read more →The CASE Coalition has designated the legal actions launched by Stella O’Malley and Genspect against psychotherapist Leonie O’Dowd as a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation). Despite O’Dowd complying with requests to delete parts of her article, O’Malley and Genspect have threatened further legal action, demanding apologies and retractions. The Coalition condemned the abusive litigation,
Read more →SCiDEV has released a new policy memo, “On the Edge of Convergence,” as part of the “Ignita 2025: On the Edge” Forum. The memo notes positive developments, including Horizon Europe association and Growth Plan financing. However, it highlights persistent structural challenges such as underinvestment in R&D, brain drain, weak governance, and limited EU research participation.
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