One of entities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska is moving ahead with its controversial “foreign agents” law despite domestic and international pressure and CSOs’ concerns. These worrisome developments, following examples of narrowing civic space in the country, reflect a broader pattern of suppressing dissent.
The draft law on the Special Registry and Publicity of Non-Profit Organizations, known as ‘foreign agents’ law, published on the Ministry of Justice’s website on April 3, 2024, imposes strict reporting and compliance rules on CSOs funded from foreign funding, going beyond international standards. Failure to comply could result in serious sanctions, including bans on their activities, especially if they “violate the integrity of the entity”.
Following these developments, we reassert our concerns about the implications of the law – jeopardizing civil society, hindering Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU integration, and further weakening the already fragile democracy. If passed, the law would restrict the operations of foreign-funded CSOs in the entity, stigmatize them, and create a chilling effect on the freedom of expression.
We call upon the Republika Srpska authorities to revoke the proposed ‘foreign agents’ law and to stop the restrictions on civic space, and instead to foster an enabling environment for civil society operations. We urge the political leaders to accept dissenting views and not obstruct the role of CSOs, media and activists, in line with BiH’s human rights commitments under international law.
We also urge the international community once again to raise awareness about civic space threats in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to put pressure on and engage with policymakers to reverse these negative trends. We are committed to supporting civil society in the country and across the region, building coalitions and solidarity, and advocating for the protection of democratic values and human rights.
Help us raise awareness about declining civic space in BiH and jointly find a way to stop harmful legislation in Republika Srpska, and its potential spill-over in the region!
If interested more about our previous work on the issue, read more:
- BCSDN Statement on Civic Space Threats in BiH
- BCSDN Opinion: Why would anyone care about shrinking of civic space in BiH?
- BCSDN Advocacy and International Concerns over Civic Space Threats in BiH
- Event Report on Defending Civic Space in the Balkans
- BCSDN Opinion for the European Western Balkans: Two Controversial Laws Pose a Threat to Civic Space in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Why Should Anyone Be Concerned?
- Podcast: Explaining Western Balkans – From Balkan with Intrigue: Unveiling the Foreign Agent Registration Acts Across the Region
- Blog: From Smears to Strength: Defying Labels, Defending Democracy, and Riding the Red Bus of Change