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Civic Space 31 May 2021

SLOVENIA: Citizens’ Protest Against the Restrictive Governance of the Slovenian Prime Minister

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

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Civic Space 31 May 2021

Partners Albania Initiative on Empowering NGOs in Prevention of Money Laundering and the Fight Against Terrorism Financing

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

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Civic Space 31 May 2021

ALBANIA: IDM Report on Democracy Decline and Shrinking Civic Space

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

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Civic Space 31 May 2021

BIH: CPCD Condemns Threats Against Media and Looks Towards Strengthened Security of Journalists

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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Civic Space 31 May 2021

SERBIA: The New Draft Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance Endangers the Achieved Level of Citizens’ Rights

The Ministry of State Administration and Local Self-Government in Serbia published the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance. The public debate on the document will remain open until 16 June 2021. In response, a group of CSOs in the Coalition for Freedom of Access to Information,

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Civic Space 31 May 2021

Digital Tools for Active Citizens in the Black Sea Region

The research aims to reveal how CSOs in the Black Sea Region are using digital tools to advance their mission, manage their resources, and outreach to donors and beneficiaries, before and during the COVID-19. The interest in the topic comes after the expanded use of the Internet and when social media and digital tools build

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Civic Space 14 May 2021

Citizens’ Movements- A Basis for a Democratic Change in the Balkans

Differing in their range and sphere of influence, the social movements in the Balkans share the idea of building a better, more just society. The fundamental principles of democracy, freedom, justice, and equality are still present within engaged citizens assembled around local initiatives and social movements. The “Bosnian Spring” in BiH, the “Colourful Revolution” in

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Civic Space 14 May 2021

Civicus Monitor: A New Covid-19 Brief on Restrictions on the Freedom of Expression

Based on the analysis of its research partners, among which BCSDN, providing analysis on the situation of the basic human freedoms in the Balkans, Civicus Monitor presents the recent Civic Space updates on the freedom of expression violations. According to the analysis, the right to information is vital during a public health emergency, and the

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Civic Space 14 May 2021

SLOVENIA: New Government Attacks Against the Slovenian Press Agency

The International Press Institute, IPI, expressed concerns after the Slovenian Prime Minister on his Twitter account attacked the director of the Slovenian Press Agency, STA, of being a ‘collaborator’ in the ‘murder’ of a former STA editor. The observers also claimed that the Slovenian government is putting pressure on the agency to change its editorial

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Civic Space 14 May 2021

Restrictions on Human Rights and Freedoms During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Human rights and freedoms constraints in exceptional circumstances, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, are only allowed if they are proportionately implemented, without discrimination against anyone, considering that some human rights and freedoms should not be subjected to restriction. Citizens claim that it is difficult for them to accept the limitations and the changes that the

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Civic Space 30 April 2021

Reporters Without Borders: Deteriorated Media Freedom in Central and South East Europe During Pandemic

In its annual Press Freedom Index report, ranking 180 countries worldwide based on their level of media freedom, and journalists’ safety, Reporters Without Borders informs that the media conditions in some Central and South East Europe countries deteriorated amid coronavirus pandemic in 2020. In Serbia (93), the legislation limited press freedom; the Government controlled the media; and

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Civic Space 30 April 2021

Montenegro: Authorities Urged to ‘Cooperate’ on Solving Media Attacks

In April 2021, the Montenegrin Government appointed new Commission members for Monitoring Violence against Media, which comprises journalists, media and NGO representatives, the Interior Ministry, Police, State Prosecution, and the National Security Agency. The Commission’s new head has called the authorities to demonstrate the political will to clarify the attacks on journalists and media, emphasizing

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