News and updates from BCSDN and the region
Philea, along with other key partners, has submitted its input to a UN study on the impact of counterterrorism measures on civil society. The study seeks to understand how counterterrorism measures have affected the ability of CSOs to carry out their work, particularly in human rights, peacebuilding, and development. Philea’s contribution draws on their extensive
Read more →According to a recent report by Freedom House, the world is experiencing a worrying trend toward authoritarian rule. The report shows that democracy and human rights are threatened in many countries, with governments increasingly restricting freedoms and cracking down on dissent. The report highlights the use of censorship, surveillance, and repression as tactics used by
Read more →The European Parliament has approved new measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing in the European Union. The measures include creating a new EU authority to oversee the implementation of anti-money laundering regulations, harmonizing rules across all member states, and increasing transparency and information sharing among financial institutions. The new authority will have the
Read more →Montenegro is set to impose a social solidarity tax on company profits to redistribute wealth and reduce inequality. The tax will be levied at a rate of 2% on company profits exceeding EUR 3 million and is expected to raise around EUR 15 million annually. The government has said that the funds will be used
Read more →CSOs in North Macedonia have requested the Government to ensure transparency and restore the dialogue regarding state funding for CSOs. The Government’s financial support for CSOs has been a topic of concern, as the organizations claim that the funding has not been distributed fairly, and in some cases, it has been reduced or withheld entirely
Read more →The Republika Srpska recently passed a new law called the “Red Line Law” which limits freedom of expression and could be used to silence Government critics. The law punishes anyone who insults or offends symbols of the entity, including the flag and anthem, with fines and up to three years in prison. The law has
Read more →A group of human rights activists was physically assaulted by a mob of protestors at an LGBT event in Sarajevo, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. The event was organized in defiance of a government ban on all public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. The attack highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBT rights in the country, where discrimination
Read more →The European Civic Forum (ECF) has released its 2023 Civic Space Report on Romania, highlighting the state of civic freedoms and democratic participation in the country. The report finds that while there are some positive developments, including increased funding for CSOs and improvements in transparency and accountability, there are also significant challenges facing Romanian civil
Read more →The South East European Network for Professionalization of Media has curated a list of regional documentaries on media and journalism that provides insight into the state of journalism and media in the Balkans. The documentaries focus on issues such as media ownership, the importance of investigative journalism, and the role of media in promoting democratic
Read more →The Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities Skopje has published a preliminary research report on restoring the European Union’s credibility and the European consensus in civil society in North Macedonia. The report examines the impact of EU policies on civil society and suggests ways to improve the EU’s approach to the country. It highlights the
Read more →The European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL) has published a framework that outlines guidelines for conducting human rights impact assessments (HRIAs) of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The framework emphasizes the importance of engaging with all stakeholders, including those most affected by the AI system being assessed, to ensure that the HRIA is comprehensive and effective.
Read more →An article published by the STGM discusses how CSOs in Turkey face legal restrictions, prohibitions, and penalties for their aid collection activities. Turkish law requires CSOs to obtain permits from the government to collect funds, and failure to comply with these regulations can result in severe fines and even criminal charges. This creates a challenging
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