News and updates from BCSDN and the region
SLAPP lawsuits aim to stifle public advocacy by burdening defendants with legal proceedings. The European Union is considering an anti-SLAPP directive, providing individuals targeted by such lawsuits with early dismissal options, cost coverage, and potential penalties for the plaintiff. In Serbia, SLAPPs cases, often brought by government officials, have raised concerns about freedom of expression.
Read more →The Government of North Macedonia has released a survey to assess the effectiveness of the indicators outlined in the Government’s Action Plan for Cooperation and Development of Civil Society, with a specific focus on engaging registered CSOs. This survey is designed to support the Department of Cooperation with CSOs within the Government of North Macedonia
Read more →Croatia’s Government has proposed amendments to the Criminal Code and the Act on Protection from Domestic Violence. The changes include new criminal offenses, with a focus on addressing the aggravated murder of women. These amendments represent an effort to combat violence, expanding victims’ rights and introducing stricter measures for restraining orders. The amendments also increase
Read more →Sputnik Turkey journalists have been on strike for five months, fired by the news agency after demanding better pay and rights. Striking journalists, motivated by dissatisfaction with low pay, inflation, and media restrictions, have encountered challenges due to geopolitical tensions between Turkey and Russia and some colleagues’ betrayal. Without salaries, they receive support from the
Read more →Serbian CSOs united under the Three Freedoms Platform strongly condemn police brutality against citizens protesting outside the City Assembly of Belgrade on December 24. They call for an urgent reaction from the authorities to protect basic rights and freedoms. The citizens have been gathering daily to express dissatisfaction with undemocratic election conditions and reported election
Read more →SLAPP lawsuits, meant to intimidate public participation, pose a serious threat to freedom of expression in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The British company Adriatic Metals recently filed a SLAPP lawsuit against the CSO activist Hajrija Čobo, accusing her of damaging their reputation for advocating clean water rights. BCSDN member from BiH CPCD, supports Čobo and condemns
Read more →Representatives of the network for protection against discrimination held a press conference urging parliamentarians to ensure an unbiased and transparent selection process for members of the Commission. They emphasize the need for fair representation in all positions of the Commission, denouncing the insertion of partisan members that compromises the Commission’s independence. The Network highlights legal
Read more →Veysel Ok, a lawyer representing three Kurdish journalists, has raised concerns about their potential imprisonment. These journalists are facing legal threats because of their reporting on increasing human rights violations in Turkey. Ok, who is also a co-chair of the Media and Law Studies Association, has emphasized the rise in rights abuses in eastern Turkey,
Read more →A recent study by the Center for Civil Communications reveals that, on average, only 0.1% of the budget of the Macedonian municipalities is allocated to support citizen associations and foundations. The research highlights that over 90% of funds allocated through budget item 463, intended for non-governmental organizations, primarily went to sports clubs closely associated with
Read more →The Government of North Macedonia adopted the Transparency Strategy for 2023-2026, proposed by the Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for good governance policies. The priority areas outlined in the strategy, are: enhancing active transparency, improving access to public information, fiscal transparency of the government and other executive authorities, enhancing digital capabilities for data
Read more →BIRN explores the potential repercussions of a draft bill in Bosnia’s Republika Srpska entity aimed at regulating CSOs receiving foreign funding. Critics argue that the bill, reminiscent of similar legislation in Russia, raises concerns about authoritarianism and could significantly impact CSOs working to safeguard democracy, media freedom, and human rights in Republika Srpska. The draft,
Read more →The regional report on judicial response to femicide in the Western Balkans, published by the AIRE Center is a condensed version of national research conducted in the Western Balkans from 2018 to 2021. Initiated by Women’s rights organizations, the research focused on understanding femicide characteristics, patterns, and causes. The main aim of the report is
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