European Economic
and Social Committee
Bosnia and Herzegovina must protect its civil society in order to advance towards the EU
We congratulate Bosnia and Herzegovina and its citizens for the decision of the European Council of 21 March 2024 to open accession talks with this important country of the Western Balkans. As declared by 110 local civil society organisations (CSOs)1, the opening of negotiations on the membership of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Union (EU) is crucial for the further political, economic and social development of the country.
As previously stated by our Committee, EU accession should remain a key priority for Bosnia and Herzegovina and all political actors in the country. All parties and levels of government need to engage in constructive dialogue, together with civil society, and focus on delivering on the necessary reforms that will enable the country to progress on its path towards European integration and bring tangible benefits to the citizens.
In this context, we express grave concern and call on the authorities of Republika Srpska (RS) entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) not to adopt the Draft Law on the Special Register and Publicity of the Work of Non-Professional Organizations. This law can be harmful and discriminatory in relation to the part of CSOs and it directly contradicts the efforts to accelerate reforms and proceed with BiH’s negotiations with the EU. Its adoption would directly violate freedom of association and public action by narrowing the scope of the work and limiting the right to participation in decision-making for many CSOs.
We call on all authorities in BiH to show commitment to democratization and to promote citizens active role in decision-making processes and in EU accession negotiations. We also remind all stakeholders that ensuring safe and enabling environment for civil society is still among the unfulfilled priorities of the Opinion of the European Commission and it should not be neglected and disregarded.
The EESC's Western Balkans Follow-up Committee will hold its' next external meeting in October in Bosnia and Herzegovina to provide our support to organised civil society in the country and to promote its active role in the European integration and future EU accession talks of Bosnia and Herzegovina