What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

UN Report on Civil Society Perspectives in Engagement in Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in South-East Europe

The UN report reflects the outcome of a hybrid roundtable on CSOs’ engagement in countering terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism in South-East Europe. The document notes that most of the SEE countries have adopted comprehensive national counter-terrorism strategies, and there is a trend of increasing engagement and openness among member states in the

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#CivicSpace Podcast Hosted by European Civic Forum

The European Civic Forum has launched its podcast series under the title #CivicSpace – an audio piece dedicated to conversation with those fighting for systemic change in Europe and beyond, highlighting important campaigns and sharing inspiring stories of successful activism. The first episode focuses on the 2022 events and why Europe needs strategies for open

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Under Surveillance: (Mis)use of Technologies in Emergency Response

The report titled “Under Surveillance: (Mis)use of Technologies in Emergency Response” is the result of the joint effort of ECNL, the International Network of Civil Liberties Organizations and Privacy International, to track the negative impacts of surveillance technology and measures deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic on activist movements and organizations in collaboration with local organizations

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Civil Society Sustainability Index Report on Albania

The Institute for Democracy and Mediation has prepared and presented the Civil Society Sustainability Index Report for Albania, providing an assessment of the enabling environment for the civil society sector by analyzing several important developments that took place during 2021. Although most of the dimensions of CSO sustainability have remained largely unchanged, the legal environment

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Monitoring Report on Digitally Mediated Public Gatherings

The Macedonian Young Lawyers Association (MYLA) has promoted a report on monitoring digitally mediated public gatherings in North Macedonia. The report deals with the current state of digitally mediated public gatherings in the country, including the relevant legal framework, the frequency, occurrence, and types of digitally mediated public gatherings, and the enabling environment in which

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Civicus Monitor Global Assessment on Protest Rights Report

Since 2017, the CIVICUS Monitor has tracked an ongoing crackdown on the right to peaceful assembly. Most recently, governments have used the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to restrict further fundamental freedoms, including the right to protest. According to CIVICUS Monitor data gathered trough the period October 2021 – September 2022, protests took place in

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Two Independent TV Stations in Serbia Stopped Broadcasting Programs

Two independent and critically acclaimed towards the government cable televisions in Serbia, “N1” and “Nova S”, stopped broadcasting their programs on 2 December . Instead of the regular program, a television was installed with a black screen with the message “Darkness in Serbia, no free media”. These two television stations, which operate within United Media,

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Digital Democracy in the Context of Albania

Leviz Alabania has covered the context and the importance of the digital democracy development by thoroughly diving into the questions on what is digital democracy, why it is important and who shall be responsible for it`s proper practice. An analysis conducted on the Albanian context in the framework of promoting digital democracy, looking at the

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Turkey: Convictions of Former Amnesty Staff Overturned – Fight Against ‘Curtailing of Human Rights’ Continues

Amnesty International stated that the decision by Turkey’s highest appeals court to overturn baseless convictions of Amnesty Turkey’s Honorary Chair and three other human rights defenders is a huge relief, yet also highlights once more the politically motivated nature of the prosecutions. The ruling by the Court of Cassation on the convictions of Taner Kılıç,

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