News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The Serbian organizations targeted by the Directorate for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in the “List” case, and part of the “Three Freedoms” platform, among which BCSDN’s member Civic Initiatives, point out that Serbian authorities are simulating consultation with the civil society in the preparation of National assessments of the vulnerability of the
Read more →Amnesty International’s publication provides a historical overview of how Turkish authorities targeted civil society using unconventional measures such as harassment, investigation, prosecution, and conviction on trumped-up terrorism charges, particularly the misuse of the 2019 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessment report as counterterrorism act. Among the number of similar laws enacted, Law No. 7262 is
Read more →In the new CIVICUS Monitor watchlist, an online platform that tracks the latest developments to civic freedoms, including the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, across 196 countries, Slovenia has been narrowed and added to the group of countries with a recent and rapid decline in fundamental civic freedoms. In the country, the Government undermined the
Read more →In its latest analysis, BiH Journalists as a part of the Safe Journalists Network reflect that the new Law on Freedom of Access to Information in BiH must not be an obsticle for media workers in the country. In contrast, the law must enable more transparent work of institutions on access to information and provide
Read more →The Regional Government & Civil Society Forum on AML/CTF processes co-organized by the Financial Intelligence Office of the Finance Ministry of R. Macedonia, ECNL, and the Association Konekt gathered 90 participants from 22 jurisdictions representing governments, the Financial Action Task Force regional body Moneyval, banks, and NPOs. The speakers and the participants pointed the impact
Read more →The European Commission’s biannual non-paper on the state of the rule of law in Montenegro and Serbia notes problems on the judicial track record, judiciary independence, and freedom of expression. The report states that the legislative changes for the success of the rule of law reform in Montenegro must be prepared following European standards, best
Read more →In the latest analysis, BCSDN member Civic Initiatives and local media associations urge the Serbian Ministry of Justice to withdraw the Draft Law on Civil Procedure. In a period of SLAPP lawsuits against media, and when private companies close to the authorities are demanding large sums for critical reporting, this Law could lead to the
Read more →In its latest blogpost, ECNL reflects that the COVID-19 has prompted CSOs’ solidarity and coordination. CSOs played a vital role in maintaining governments’ accountable responses, which have heightened the existing challenges to the civil society enabling environment under the pandemic pretext. In the name of public health protection, some European states adopted unbalanced emergency legislative
Read more →Around 10,000 protesters gathered in Ljubljana’s Preseren Square for the “All-Slovenian uprising” anti-government protest, asking for termination of the rule of the current prime minister and the right-wing government, urging for snap elections. The protesters blamed the Slovenian prime minister for using the coronavirus pandemic to restrict freedoms, neglect social dialogue, attack the media, and
Read more →BCSDN member Partners Albania is implementing an initiative to empower NGOs to engage in preventing money laundering and combating terrorist financing proactively. As a part of this intervention, in March 2021, Partners Albania held a series of local roundtable discussions with organizations and other stakeholders, to discuss the main findings of their report on the legal
Read more →The paper reflects on the shrinking civic space as a reason for the democratization backslide in Albania during 2015-2020, with a particular reference to the last two years. It is delivered on the assumption that a strong civic space contributes to the consolidation of democracy. The paper also recognizes the specific governmental policies and practices
Read more →In recent years, BiH authorities, individuals, and media close to the ruling parties intensified their pressures against journalists in the country. The government’s oppression escalated into accusations of media for their “unprofessionalism” and betraying the so-called ethnic entity, and state interests. As a result, freedom of expression and journalists’ reporting are on the margins, and
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