After a series of bills were introduced in Republika Srpska to silence dissent, which included amendments to the entety’s Criminal Code re-criminalizing defamation, and the recently adopted draft ‘foreign agents’ law, a virtual gathering hosted by the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) on November 9th addressed the alarming trend of attacks on civic space in the Balkans. The meeting brought together a diverse group of participants to discuss employed strategies, the current state of laws affecting freedom of expression and association in Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the urgent need for solidarity in the face of growing challenges.
The meeting, opened by BCSDN Executive Director, Ms. Biljana Spasovska, aimed to create space for dialogue and information exchange, learn from regional and global examples, improve coordination of responses with political buy-in, and explore collaborative solutions to minimize harmful legal provisions’ corrosive effects.
Ms. Aida Daguda, Executive Director of the BCSDN member Center for Civil Society Promotion (CPCD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, presented insights into the European Commission progress report for 2023 on Bosnia and Herzegovina, offering a crucial perspective on the EU’s approach toward recent threats to civic space in Republika Srpska. Ms. Daguda initiated the conversation by highlighting the pressing issues faced by civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing the lack of support and trust in CSOs. She framed the current crisis as an opportunity for the collective defense of civic space. Representatives of CSOs from Republika Srpska were then invited to share their experiences facing these challenges on the ground.
Participants discussed on the challenges confronting civil society in Republika Srpska, including the reasons for its silence on specific matters. Diverse viewpoints were exchanged regarding potential solutions.
The conversation then shifted to a detailed examination of the current legal framework affecting freedom of expression and association in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Concerns were raised about the potential recriminalization of defamation and proposed amendments to the criminal code in the entity.
Mr. Luben Panov, Senior Program Advisor at ECNL provided a general overview of both the anti-defamation and “foreign agent” laws and made a comparison of the FARA laws in Europe and Central Asia against the situation in Republika Srpska. Focusing on the background of these restrictive laws in the entity, Mr. Panov emphasized the lack of clarity on foreign support and political activity. Mr. Panov also shared insights into successful civil society mobilization in Georgia against a law targeting the EU. The discussion explored the potential application of similar strategies in Republika Srpska.
Ms. Anja Bosilkova-Antovska, BCSDN’s Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, outlined the network’s efforts to prevent the adoption of the foreign agents law. Engaging with international organizations such as CIVICUS, Moneyval, and OGP, BCSDN explored new advocacy avenues to counter legislative challenges, and protect civic space in BiH and the region. In addition, Ms. Tara Petrović from CIVICUS Monitor presented CIVICUS advocacy tools, such as the Watchlist and the annual report “People Power Under Attack”, as effective means to draw attention to declining civic freedoms globally.
Ms. Maja Stojanovic, the Executive Director of BCSDN member Civic Initiatives, highlighted the situation in Serbia, noting similarities with Republika Srpska, such as government support and the implementation of laws without adoption. The discussion underscored the need for unified civil society action and increased awareness among CSOs.
The shrinking space for civil society and media organizations took center stage. Participants suggested support for grassroots initiatives and strategic framing of issues to turn public opinion.
Ms. Waltraud Heller, Lead on Civic Space from the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), emphasized the multi-level approach required to strengthen civil society under pressure. Crucial areas of focus were identified, including individual activists, organizational development, sectoral cooperation, and constituency base. The discussion acknowledged the lack of sufficient support from the international community and explored strategies to resist the shrinking civic space.
Ms. Maja Stojanovic and Ms. Albana Shala, Program Coordinator at Free Press Unlimited, emphasized the crucial role of media in defending civic space and urged increased education and action.
BCSDN online discussion served as a comprehensive exploration of the challenges faced by civil society in the Balkans. The varied perspectives contributed to a deeper understanding of the legislative, environmental, and international dynamics impacting civic space in the region.
For more information about the discussion, please refer to the Meeting report, available HERE.