News and updates from BCSDN and the region
On 26 June 2024, the House of Representatives of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Draft Law on Citizens’ Initiative and Protection of Citizens and Activists. This law provides protection against legal actions intended to suppress public engagement. Under the law, citizens and activists cannot be held accountable or subjected to physical or
Read more →The CASE Coalition has identified two lawsuits by Judge Dusanka Djordjevic against Serbian media outlet KRIK as SLAPPs, aiming to silence independent journalism. Judge Djordjevic and her husband, lawyer Aleksandar Djordjevic, filed both criminal and civil suits against KRIK, its editor-in-chief Stevan Dojcinovic, and journalist Bojana Pavlovic. They claim KRIK’s “Judge Who Judges” database, which
Read more →The report “Legal and Regulatory Landscape on Philanthropy in Albania – A Roadmap for Safeguarding NPOs’ Fundraising Activities from Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing” , delivered by BCSDN member Partners Albania, analyzes the legal and institutional framework governing fundraising methods for philanthropic activities in Albania, crucial for the operations and sustainability of NPOs. Through detailed
Read more →ARTICLE 19 critiques Croatia’s recent amendments to the Criminal Code, which introduces criminal penalties for disclosing ‘non-public’ information related to criminal cases. They advocate for the repeal of these amendments, citing concerns that they violate international standards on freedom of expression. The new provisions restrict journalists and others from accessing and disseminating information crucial to
Read more →A European Leaders’ Call to Defend Democracy urged the EU to prioritize democracy support in its upcoming institutional term following the European Parliament elections. This call emphasizes the importance of democratic values and proposes several policy commitments. In response, Brussels-based democracy organizations, including EED, EPD, ENOP, and International IDEA, have launched a policy brief detailing
Read more →North Macedonia’s EU accession process faces significant hurdles, including unresolved bilateral disputes, political instability, and waning public support. Despite these challenges, the country remains driven by the prospects of economic prosperity and regional stability. Declining public support reflects frustrations with slow progress and perceived EU ambivalence. Compounding these issues are broader regional crises and the
Read more →Recent attacks on journalists in Serbia, highlighted by the assault on Vuk Cvijic, a journalist for Radar magazine, have sparked condemnation from media organizations and international bodies. European Federation of Journalists president linked the attack to a hostile environment fostered by senior Serbian officials. Cvijic was attacked by Milan Ladjevic, owner of the pro-government tabloid
Read more →The recent Serbian elections, marked by repeated wins for the ruling coalition, have raised concerns over democracy and electoral fairness. Despite some opposition victories, allegations of rigging and uneven conditions persist. The turnout was low, partly due to opposition boycotts and ongoing protests losing momentum. President Vučić’s dominance faces challenges, with declining support in Belgrade.
Read more →The Bosnian Serb Assembly has withdrawn the controversial Law on the Special Registry and Publicity of Non-Profit Organisations, known as ‘foreign agents’ law and, citing the need for further alignment with European standards. The law aimed to restrict NPOs from political activities, enforce registry enrollment, and increase oversight. International and regional warnings from the Venice
Read more →On April 24, the European Parliament officially adopted the new Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislative package. This package, proposed by the European Commission in July 2021, strengthens EU rules under six pillars. Key elements include the EU single rulebook regulation, the Sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, and the Anti-Money Laundering Authority regulation.
Read more →The CASE Coalition has classified a lawsuit initiated by Hrvatske šume d.o.o. (Croatian Forests Ltd, CFL) against an environmental activist as a SLAPP. CFL, a state-owned company managing Croatia’s forests, has filed three private prosecutions for criminal defamation against Vesna Grgić, an environmental activist and leader of the Green Squad. The organization, part of the
Read more →The 2024 report on global freedom of expression reveals a concerning trend: over half of the world’s population lives in countries facing expression crises. India’s shift into this category drove the increase. While some countries saw positive shifts, such as Brazil and Fiji, others regressed, like Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. Despite individual changes, the overall
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