Establishing a cooperative human rights monitoring and reporting cycle on freedom of expression and access to information remains a priority to which the Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, relevant ministries at the State and entity levels, independent bodies, as well as representatives of the civil society, remain committed.
This was reaffirmed at the second Steering Committee meeting of the project 'Enhancing institutional capacities on freedom of expression and information in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFEX)', held on 12 May 2023 in Sarajevo, where the path forward in the project and the establishment of an advanced and effective methodology and platform for interinstitutional cooperation to this effect were discussed.
The first project outputs were presented at the meeting together with the main project partner – the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It has been concluded by the Steering Committee members that there is mutual commitment and a common understanding of what the action wants to achieve and how, with having in mind the potential benefits to the democratic society of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In that context, the support to the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other relevant institutions, to execute their monitoring and reporting mandate, particularly when it comes to freedom of expression and freedom of access to information continues to be one of the main objectives of the project.
Mr Patrick Penninckx, the Head of the Information Society Department of the Council of Europe, together with Ms Bojana Urumova, the Head of the Council of Europe Sarajevo Office, emphasised that cooperation with local partners is a crucial condition for stability and sustainability of democratic societies. The Council of Europe remains committed to supporting authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in their endeavours towards ensuring that legislative reforms are compatible with international standards and to allow Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet its international obligations.
The project ‘Enhancing institutional capacities on freedom of expression and information in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFEx)’ is implemented by the Council of Europe and funded through the voluntary contribution of Sweden, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
