News and updates from BCSDN and the region
A European Leaders’ Call to Defend Democracy urged the EU to prioritize democracy support in its upcoming institutional term following the European Parliament elections. This call emphasizes the importance of democratic values and proposes several policy commitments. In response, Brussels-based democracy organizations, including EED, EPD, ENOP, and International IDEA, have launched a policy brief detailing
Read more →North Macedonia’s EU accession process faces significant hurdles, including unresolved bilateral disputes, political instability, and waning public support. Despite these challenges, the country remains driven by the prospects of economic prosperity and regional stability. Declining public support reflects frustrations with slow progress and perceived EU ambivalence. Compounding these issues are broader regional crises and the
Read more →Recent attacks on journalists in Serbia, highlighted by the assault on Vuk Cvijic, a journalist for Radar magazine, have sparked condemnation from media organizations and international bodies. European Federation of Journalists president linked the attack to a hostile environment fostered by senior Serbian officials. Cvijic was attacked by Milan Ladjevic, owner of the pro-government tabloid
Read more →The recent Serbian elections, marked by repeated wins for the ruling coalition, have raised concerns over democracy and electoral fairness. Despite some opposition victories, allegations of rigging and uneven conditions persist. The turnout was low, partly due to opposition boycotts and ongoing protests losing momentum. President Vučić’s dominance faces challenges, with declining support in Belgrade.
Read more →The Bosnian Serb Assembly has withdrawn the controversial Law on the Special Registry and Publicity of Non-Profit Organisations, known as ‘foreign agents’ law and, citing the need for further alignment with European standards. The law aimed to restrict NPOs from political activities, enforce registry enrollment, and increase oversight. International and regional warnings from the Venice
Read more →On April 24, the European Parliament officially adopted the new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislative package. This package, proposed by the European Commission in July 2021, strengthens EU rules under six pillars. Key elements include the EU single rulebook regulation, the Sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, and the Anti-Money Laundering Authority regulation.
Read more →The CASE Coalition has classified a lawsuit initiated by Hrvatske šume d.o.o. (Croatian Forests Ltd, CFL) against an environmental activist as a SLAPP. CFL, a state-owned company managing Croatia’s forests, has filed three private prosecutions for criminal defamation against Vesna Grgić, an environmental activist and leader of the Green Squad. The organization, part of the
Read more →The 2024 report on global freedom of expression reveals a concerning trend: over half of the world’s population lives in countries facing expression crises. India’s shift into this category drove the increase. While some countries saw positive shifts, such as Brazil and Fiji, others regressed, like Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. Despite individual changes, the overall
Read more →Following the temporary interruption of the RTV Federation of BiH programs on May 8, the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners condemned the political management causing the crisis and violating citizens’ right to freedom of information. The dispute between BHRT and FTV led to a media blackout ordered by the BHRT management board, resolved a
Read more →The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) joined four international media freedom organisations and its six affiliates in the SafeJournalist network, condemning the harassment of journalist Furkan Saliu in North Macedonia. Saliu was detained and allegedly assaulted by police while covering a football match. Despite his subsequent release, concerns remain over police conduct and the deletion
Read more →The BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Elmedin Konaković faces criticism for misusing his political power, where during a press conference in Sarajevo on 25 April unjustly targeted journalists and media outlets, labeling them as part of a criminal network without evidence. This unwarranted attack reflects a concerning trend of the minister targeting journalists critical
Read more →International media freedom and human rights organizations condemn Türkiye’s arrest of nine Kurdish journalists from the Mezopotamya Agency in recent raids across Istanbul, Ankara, and Şanlıurfa. Three journalists were accused of “membership in a terrorist organization” and arrested without evidence. This ongoing harassment of Kurdish journalists is alarming, with similar incidents occurring before national elections
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