Expression

International CSO, Human Rights Watch has drawn attention to the lack of media freedom and poor working environment for journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In its 2019 annual report, the group stated that independent outlets and journalists continue to face threats during their work. Out of the 41 attacks against journalists in 2018 (which included 5 death threats, 7 physical attacks and 8 threats by politicians directed to media representatives), no prosecutions have taken place. Despite investigations being opened and handed over to prosecution, there are yet to be any convictions for the 41 incidents.  

The issue of political smears against journalists remains a key concern in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In particular, the vilification of journalists as foreign mercenaries or enemies of the state is a frequent tactic. On 30th December 2018, Milorad Dodik, chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, described the privately-owned national broadcaster BN TV as a “destroyer" of the Bosnian Serb entity. The incident shone a spotlight on conditions for journalists in Republika Srpska. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Association of BH Journalists said:

"The situation is certainly not good, we have laws, however, these laws are not adequately implemented, although they are in principle in line with European standards."

In response, the media community has requested the establishment of a special media ombudsman as an independent mechanism for the protection of freedom of expression.

According to a platform which tests the truthfulness of media information called raskrinkanje.ba, there is evidence of an interconnected network of media transmitting misinformation and fake news across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Particularly worrying, is the revelation that several public media outlets from Serbia and Republika Srpska as well as a plethora of tabloids are part of this network. The group used their evidence as a rallying call to civil society across the region to join forces to combat the purposeful misuse of online platforms to spread false information. 

Peaceful Assembly

As previously covered on the CIVICUS Monitor, protests over the suspicious death of a young man in Banja Luka were abruptly halted. David Dragičević went missing in Banja Luka in March 2018. He was later found dead in a river several days later. Suspicions have been high over the circumstances surrounding his death. In particular, protesters believe that state authorities were complicit in orchestrating a coverup. After the protest walk on 30th December 2018, "Justice for David" protests which took place over 300 days since his death, were banned. Citizens gathered in a churchyard in Banja Luka, where they lit candles in remembrance of the young man when police ordered the citizens to disperse. President Milorad Dodik, later accused the protesters of being paid by international forces to destabilise Republika Srpska. Similarly, Davor Dragičević, David Dragičević's father, was forced into hiding for more than a month after an arrest warrant was issued because of the protests. Aleksandar Gluvić, an activist from "Justice for David", posted on his social media account that he had received a court verdict saying he was sentenced to 20 days in prison and a fine of 250 KM for participating in protests. In February 2019, the political opposition party of Serbia announced they would bring the issue of the "Justice for David" protests and the arrests that took place in Banja Luka in front of the Human Rights Committee in Geneva. 

On 9th January 2019, with enhanced police presence, institutions and civic organisations from Republic of Srpska (RS) celebrated the Day of the RS, despite the fact that the BiH Constitutional Court declared it unconstitutional in November last year. Many criticised the celebrations, especially the Order of Merit given to Prime Minister Ana Brnabic for “developing and strengthening cooperation and political relations between Serbia and the Republic of Srpska”, pointing out that this order has previously been awarded to sentenced war criminals, such as Radovan Karadžić, Ratko Mladić, Biljana Plavšić and Momčilo Krajišnik. Bosniaks and Croats living in BiH denounced the celebration parade, claiming that it discriminated against non-Serbs in RS.