News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The European Commission has announced the postponement of the proposed law targeting foreign interference in the European Union (EU). The article “NoEUfara: Commission Postpones Foreign Interference Law” by ECNL, sheds light on this decision and its potential implications. The postponement is a response to concerns raised by CSOs and other stakeholders regarding the potential impact
Read more →EU TACSO 3 published the first assessment against the revised DG NEAR Guidelines for EU Support to Civil Society in the Enlargement Region, 2021-2027. The guidelines highlight the results for EU assistance to civil society in the enlargement region over the next seven years. It provides evidence for the situation against the Guidelines’ indicators for
Read more →Two massive protests were held in Belgrade in the last two weeks, railing against the Serbian government officials, after the fierce events and massive murders, and the promotion of violence in the media. Recognized as the largest since the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) came to power one decade ago, the protests called for resignation of
Read more →Safe Journalists Network in Albania, along with the Center Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV), published the Report Indicators on the Level of Media Freedom and Journalists’ Safety in Albania 2022, reflecting on the media freedom and safety of journalists in the country. The annual report provides an in-depth analysis of the prevailing challenges, current
Read more →The European Commission has published its consultation on the Defense of Democracy package, aiming to bring legislative and non-legislative measures to strengthen resilience to covert foreign interference and encourage civic engagement in the European democracies. As part of the package, the Commission plans to introduce a directive for “common transparency and accountability standards for interest
Read more →The analysis prepared by the Anti-corruption Fund is a systematic review of the legal practice on SLAPP cases in Bulgaria for the period 2000 – March 2023. The analysis provides an outline of the concept, the emergence, the significance, and the effects of the SLAPPs, by presenting country’s specific examples, revealing the Bulgarian dimension of
Read more →Liberties is summoning CSOs and activists to take a stand for citizens’ voting autonomy by signing a petition. The rationale is to prevent certain politicians from carrying out voter fraud using sensitive data about race, religion, sexual orientation, or health. The letter asks citizens to be the ones choosing the leaders and allowed to protect
Read more →A coalition of CSOs has issued a joint statement expressing concern about the EU’s proposed foreign interference law, which they argue could have a chilling effect on CSOs. The law aims to address foreign influence in EU elections and political processes, but the CSOs warn that it could also be used to stifle legitimate activities
Read more →A vibrant and independent civil society, including non-governmental organizations, media outlets, and grassroots movements, is essential for holding governments accountable, promoting transparency, and safeguarding human rights. Unfortunately, many governments worldwide are cracking down on civil society and restricting its ability to operate freely. This is particularly concerning in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which
Read more →The European Union’s Rule of Law Report, published annually, monitors rule of law developments in Member States. Civil society groups have released a joint statement urging the Commission to broaden the scope of the report to include democracy and human rights, as well as enhancing the specificity of the recommendations and introduce a system for
Read more →In its annual briefing, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre highlights the vital work of human rights defenders in exposing corporate abuses and advocating for change. The briefing focuses on a range of issues, including environmental destruction, labor exploitation, and discrimination. It highlights the challenges faced by human rights defenders, including threats to their
Read more →The Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without the active participation of citizens and CSOs. In a recent article, the World Economic Forum highlights the importance of civic participation in achieving the SDGs and promoting sustainable development. The article highlights the role of civic tech and digital platforms in enabling citizens
Read more →