What's New

News and updates from BCSDN and the region

Albania: Growing Pressure on Media Freedom and Civic Space During the Flamingo Revolution

SCiDEV highlighted concerns raised by European media freedom organisations over deteriorating media freedom and civic space in Albania during the Flamingo Revolution. Journalists have faced obstruction, attacks and police interference, while crowd-control measures and protest-related criminal procedures have raised concerns over proportionality, transparency and due process. Notably, 15 of the 27 threats and attacks recorded

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North Macedonia: Journalists’ Association Calls for Urgent Action over Threats Against Journalist

The Association of Journalists of Macedonia (AJM) has called for urgent institutional action following serious online threats against journalist and columnist Erol Rizaov. The threats, posted in comments on his official Facebook page, included calls for violence and ethnically motivated insults. AJM submitted an urgent request to the Ministry of Interior, asking authorities to preserve

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Albania: Civil Society and Independent Media Call for the Protection of Civic Space

More than 30 Albanian CSOs, independent media outlets and human rights defenders, including BCSDN member Partners Albania, have issued a joint public statement condemning recurring smear campaigns and public attacks against journalists, activists and civil society. The signatories warn that these attacks are part of a broader pattern aimed at shifting attention away from issues

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Serbia’s Cluster 3 Stalemate Reinforces the Need for Credible Democratic Reforms

Serbia’s failure to open Cluster 3 in its EU accession negotiations has reinforced concerns that meaningful democratic reforms remain a prerequisite for further progress in the enlargement process. Despite legislative efforts and last-minute reform commitments, persistent shortcomings in the rule of law, judicial independence, media freedom, institutional accountability and alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign

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Croatia: Journalists Call for Stronger Protection Against SLAPPs

The Croatian Journalists’ Association (HND) has renewed its call for the full decriminalisation of offences against honour and reputation, urging the Government to remove insult and defamation from the Criminal Code as part of the upcoming legislative amendments. While welcoming Croatia’s new Anti-SLAPP law, HND warns that its safeguards do not extend to criminal proceedings,

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Albania’s “Flamingo Revolution” Raises Concerns over Civic Space and Online Manipulation

Albania’s “Flamingo Revolution,” which began in opposition to controversial tourism developments affecting protected natural areas, has evolved into a broader anti-government movement demanding political accountability. The latest protests escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police outside Parliament, while journalist Vjolanda Peca of Citizens.al was reportedly arrested while covering the demonstrations, prompting renewed concerns over media

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Albania: CSOs Call for Independent Investigation Following 2 July Protests

24 CSOs in Albania, including BCSDN member Partners Albania, have issued a joint public statement following the 2 July protests in Tirana, expressing concern over allegations of disproportionate use of force, ill-treatment of detained protesters, obstacles to effective access to legal counsel and independent medical examinations, and the risk of losing key evidence. The organisations

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Serbia’s EU Accession Faces Renewed Scrutiny

The European Parliament has adopted a Resolution on Serbia, reaffirming that the country’s progress towards EU membership depends on genuine democratic reforms and their effective implementation. The Resolution calls for tangible progress in the rule of law, judicial independence, free and fair elections, media freedom, the fight against corruption and organised crime, and stronger engagement

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The Future of EU (Enlargement) Is Already Being Written in Montenegro

In an opinion article, former Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister Jovana Marović argues that Montenegro’s accession process is becoming a testing ground for the European Union’s future enlargement policy. It explores how the EU is seeking to reconcile the geopolitical imperative of enlargement with growing concerns over democratic backsliding after accession. A stronger role for EU

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North Macedonia: Stakeholders Discuss Risk-Based Implementation of FATF Recommendation 8

Representatives of banks, the National Bank, the Financial Intelligence Office and CSOs met in Skopje to discuss the implementation of the revised Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation 8, which calls for a risk-based and proportionate approach to preventing the misuse of non-profit organizations for terrorist financing without restricting their legitimate work. Discussions focused on

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