News and updates from BCSDN and the region
In an interview for Radar, Maja Stojanović, Executive Director of BCSDN member Civic Initiatives, describes an increasingly restrictive environment for civil society and critical voices in Serbia. She argues that international expressions of concern have had limited effect as long as attacks and institutional pressure carry no political consequences. Stojanović points to police searches of
Read more →The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and the Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH) have raised concerns over a new internal regulation of Albania’s Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), warning that it introduces significant restrictions on journalists’ access to and reporting from court proceedings. Adopted without prior consultation, the regulation reportedly deviates
Read more →The Council for Cooperation between the Government and Civil Society has launched a public call for civil society representatives to join the Monitoring Committee for the Reform and Growth Facility. The Committee monitors the progress and quality of reforms and investments under North Macedonia’s Reform Agenda 2024–2027, linked to the EU’s Growth Plan for the
Read more →Following the EU Delegation’s consultation with civil society, Partners Albania submitted its written contribution to the programming of EU financial assistance to Albania under the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The contribution calls for greater focus on the effective implementation, monitoring and accountability of reforms, alongside stronger democratic governance, civic participation and an enabling environment for
Read more →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.
Read more →At least 25 cases of satellite navigation interference have been recorded affecting Serbia over the past four years, several coinciding with major anti-government protests, elections and other politically sensitive events. The incidents include GPS jamming and “spoofing”, which transmits false navigation data to affected systems. During protests in Belgrade in May 2026, interference forced drones
Read more →SCiDEV highlighted concerns raised by European media freedom organisations over deteriorating media freedom and civic space in Albania during the Flamingo Revolution. Journalists have faced obstruction, attacks and police interference, while crowd-control measures and protest-related criminal procedures have raised concerns over proportionality, transparency and due process. Notably, 15 of the 27 threats and attacks recorded
Read more →The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) has called for urgent institutional action following serious online threats against journalist and columnist Erol Rizaov. The threats, posted in comments on his official Facebook page, included calls for violence and ethnically motivated insults. AJM submitted an urgent request to the Ministry of Interior, asking authorities to preserve
Read more →Eko Straža addressed the European Parliament and other EU institutions over the detention of its founder, Bojan Simišić, warning that the case reflects a broader pattern of pressure on civil society activists and government critics in Serbia. Simišić was detained at the border and questioned by criminal police over alleged involvement in a “staged simulation”
Read more →More than 30 Albanian CSOs, independent media outlets and human rights defenders, including BCSDN member Partners Albania, have issued a joint public statement condemning recurring smear campaigns and public attacks against journalists, activists and civil society. The signatories warn that these attacks are part of a broader pattern aimed at shifting attention away from issues
Read more →Serbia’s failure to open Cluster 3 in its EU accession negotiations has reinforced concerns that meaningful democratic reforms remain a prerequisite for further progress in the enlargement process. Despite legislative efforts and last-minute reform commitments, persistent shortcomings in the rule of law, judicial independence, media freedom, institutional accountability and alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign
Read more →The SafeJournalists Network has called for an urgent investigation into death threats against Rami Mislimi, a journalist with Tetova Sot, following his reporting on the President of the Tetovo Municipal Council. According to the Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM), Mislimi received phone threats targeting both him and his minor child, demanding the removal of
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