European Union publishes report on BiH, issues special criticism to authorities in RS

(Patria) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has published the Annual Report on the state of human rights and democracy in the world for 2023.

In the section referring to our country, it warns, among other things, of regression regarding the guarantee of freedom of expression in the RS, and points to the necessity of implementing electoral reforms, reports N1.

Pressure and intimidation of journalists

Also, the need to fulfill the 14 priorities set before local authorities by the European Commission is emphasized. Political influence under which public broadcasters operate is also warned about.

"In July 2023, penalties for defamation were reintroduced into the Criminal Code of the RS entity, which seriously affects freedom of expression and the media and represents a major step backwards.

Political pressure, intimidation and harassment of journalists, including physical and verbal attacks, continued in 2023 without an adequate institutional response.

Public broadcasters remain under political influence and in uncertain financial conditions," states the introductory part of the report summary for BiH.

The document further recalls how in September 2023, the National Assembly of the RS adopted in the first reading a Draft Law designating civil society groups as foreign agents, noting that its full adoption would represent a major step backwards.

We remind you, the proposed law was withdrawn from the agenda of the NSRS session yesterday.

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Regarding freedom of assembly, it is added, there are restrictions on spontaneous gatherings and due to security costs, and freedom of assembly remains particularly limited in the RS entity, where the police banned an LGBTI event in March 2023.

Pride parades, held annually in the capital, take place regularly, the report states.

Necessary reforms

In the section referring to the work of the state government, i.e., the Council of Ministers of BiH, the document recalls that the new convocation took office at the end of January, following elections held in October 2023, and that the state budget was adopted in March.

All legislative and executive bodies at the state and entity level were established by May.

The issue of the necessity of implementing electoral reform and abolishing negative practices in education was also highlighted.

"Significant reforms are needed to ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to effectively exercise their political rights, and thus align the country's constitutional and legislative framework with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights established in the 'Sejdić-Finci' case.

Divisions in education need to be ended to ensure non-discriminatory, inclusive and quality education for all, including overcoming the practice of 'two schools under one roof'.

Gender-based violence, ill-treatment of persons deprived of liberty, and insufficient protection of minorities, including Roma, continue to cause concern," the report states.

Regarding respect for human rights in the context of BiH's EU integration, the document notes that the EU continues to closely monitor respect for human rights, including freedom of assembly and association and freedom of expression, the rights of persons in vulnerable situations, including minorities, as well as gender equality.

"Half of the 14 key priorities set out in the Commission's 2019 Opinion on BiH's EU membership application relate to fundamental rights.

These priorities require the country to strengthen non-discrimination and gender equality, ensure the prohibition of torture, guarantee freedom of expression and the media, improve the protection and inclusion of groups in vulnerable situations, and promote an environment conducive to reconciliation," the report emphasizes.

In addition, the document also addresses issues of the EU's bilateral political and financial engagement in BiH, where it is noted, among other things, that the focus of EU support through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) is on the areas of judiciary (6.4 million euros), civil society and media.

"EU funds help in the tracing of missing persons (3 million euros), as well as supporting and monitoring work on war crimes cases (5 million euros).

Support for gender equality (0.5 million euros) continued under the Gender Equality Instrument, including the development of the first Gender Equality Index for BiH and institutional mechanisms for gender equality.

Funds for meeting accession criteria in the area of fundamental rights protection continued to be provided through EU4HumanRights (800,000 euros), a project directly supporting the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, the Gender Equality Agency, and the Institution of the Human Rights Ombudsman," the report adds.