News and updates from BCSDN and the region
The European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP) is to be installed by the EU to improve European democracy by tackling issues such as disinformation and strengthening Europe’s media ecosystem. Without ensuring an enabling environment for civil society within the EU, the Action Plan cannot reach its full potential. As the Action Plan does not address the
Read more →The article looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic, and the following limitations, have restricted individual freedoms and seen governments use extraordinary powers in the Western Balkans. A question to consider for the future is how Western Balkan leaderships will potentially continue to exercise the use of these concentrated powers. It argues that COVID-19 has allowed
Read more →On 21 July 2020, the Turkish Justice and Development Party, AKP announced it would introduce a new law to regulate social media more strictly, with financial sanctions for companies that do not comply with government demands. In accordance, on 11 December 2020, Turkey’s Information and Communications Technologies Authority imposed 30 million Turkish lira in fines
Read more →The pandemic’s severe impact across the globe has exposed flaws of social, economic, and political models, challenged the societies, tested the collective humanity, and aggravated inequalities. As the lack of social protection measures persisted, pre-existing inequalities, injustices, and gaps in human rights protection have become more pronounced. As the pandemic rages on, the article presents: Weakening
Read more →The CSO Sustainability Index report for Albania has been published by the Institute for Democracy and Mediation, in partnership with USAID and FHI 360. The report looked at seven dimensions of sustainability: legal environment, organizational capacity, financial viability, advocacy, service provision, sectoral infrastructure, and public image. It concluded that the overall sustainability of the Albanian
Read more →BCSDN member, KCSF, has reflected the European Commission’s (EC) report on Kosovo’s civil society. KCSF has stated that the 2020 report is a realistic reflection of the standing of the environment for civil society development in Kosovo. The EC reported progress on adopting legislative and strategic documents, public consultation at the central level, and easier
Read more →The European Ombudsman’s Office has declared that it will open an inquiry into the possible inadequacy of the European Commission to certify that Croatian authorities upheld fundamental rights while undertaking EU-funded border activity against migrants and refugees. The reaction comes after Amnesty International’s complaint in September 2020 that the Commission failed to address reports of
Read more →Open Government Partnerships (OGP) has published a global report bringing light to the freedoms of activists and journalists that continue to face threats around the world. Both activists and journalists are crucial for open government insofar as they function as critical intermediaries, connect public institutions and decision-makers with the population, and introduce accountability measures. The
Read more →The Expert Council of NGO Law has released an Addendum that addresses Greece’s inconsistencies with respecting freedom of association and impeding the civil society space. The Council calls for the Greek Government to review a previous Ministerial decision committed to the registration, certification, and operation of NGOs to guarantee civil society space, in line with
Read more →The human rights experts addressed their concerns about using surveillance powers by the Serbian government to obtain banking and financial information on transactions of over 50 NGOs, media associations, and individuals. In a statement, they noted that the unjustified use of the Serbian Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism
Read more →More than 25 participants attended the online conference, organised by BCSDN and ECNL, on 13 July 2020 to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public participation in the Balkans and ways to promote participatory and multi-stakeholder approaches in the relief of the crisis. The two keynote speakers: Anna Rurka, President of the Conference
Read more →Transforming civic space is a key determinant to the sustainability of democratic reforms in the Western Balkans. Open Government Partnership (OGP) suggests frameworks to address key issues on transparency, civic participation, and public accountability, together with a process to establish greater engagement with civil society. The six WB countries have adopted over 350 commitments of
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