On November 28, BCSDN member Civic Initiatives hosted the regional conference “Voices Without Fear” in Belgrade. The event brought together journalists, activists, legal experts, and civil society representatives from the Western Balkans to address the growing threat of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), used to silence dissent, intimidate individuals, and block transparency in the region. The event provided a platform for discussions and collaboration to protect free expression and public accountability in the region and emphasized the need for regional and international efforts to safeguard journalists, activists, and CSOs.
The conference explored various aspects of combating SLAPPs and their profound societal impact. Discussions highlighted legal strategies to address SLAPP lawsuits and better protect those targeted, while regional experiences shed light on the real-world consequences faced by activists and journalists. Insights from legal experts, activists, and journalists emphasized the importance of defending freedom of expression and fostering solidarity. Participants called for stronger regional cooperation as a crucial step in countering SLAPPs and safeguarding those who dare to speak the truth.
Biljana Spasovska, BCSDN’s Executive Director, as one of the speakers at the panel on” International Practices: Lessons and Recommendations from the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive” pointed to the importance of aligning regional efforts with international standards to build stronger protective measures for activists and CSOs. In her speech, she also brought the recommendation of what governments in the region should do to protect CSOs and activists from SLAPPs, advocating for the EU to set clear benchmarks to address the challenges facing civil society in the region and support regional advocacy for robust SLAPPs protections. The representatives of BCSDN member organizations discussed the challenges of relying on national legal systems for protection against SLAPP lawsuits and proposed solutions to strengthen legal safeguards and improve resilience.
The event continued with the Western Balkans SLAPP Competition, organized by Civic Initiatives and the European Fund for the Balkans, aimed to highlight those using SLAPPs to silence criticism. Awards were given in three categories. The Obstructor of Transparency Award was shared by Aleksandar Šapić, Mayor of Belgrade, and Elizabeta Imeraj, former Chief Prosecutor in Tirana. The Environmental Degrader Award went to Renco SPA (Albania) and Ivan and Slaven Burzanović (Montenegro) for targeting environmental activists. The People’s Choice Award was won by Zoran Bećirović, a Montenegrin businessman who sued NVO MANS and media outlets over a report involving land transactions with judge Vesna Medenica.
By shedding light to these abuses and sharing the stories of those affected, the event emphasized the vital role of regional cooperation and international support in defending freedom of expression and public participation. The efforts of participants, including BCSDN’s advocacy, underscored the need for stronger measures and united approach to ensure that voices in the Western Balkans are resilient, and not silenced by fear.
BCSDN recognizes SLAPPs as crucial topic related to one of the key standards for ensuring an enabling environment for civil society in WBT – the legal guarantees and respect of the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly and expression. Join us in the fight against SLAPPs!