The 11th meeting of the Coordinating Working Group on Monitoring and Reporting on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Access to Information in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held in Mostar, with the support of the Council of Europe and the project “Strengthening Institutional Capacities in the Field of Freedom of Expression and Information in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EFEx)”.
On the first day of the meeting, members discussed the draft Strategic Document and activities within the framework of the Council of Europe’s campaign “Journalists Matter”. The deputy focal points for the Campaign, Samir Karić and Raisa Bušatlić, presented the document, reminding that consultations on its content had previously been held with focal points in prosecutors’ offices and ministries of internal affairs (February), as well as with the journalistic community during a conference held in April this year. The process of discussions on the document began as early as February and has since included the Coordinating Working Group, whose mandate has been expanded to cover activities within the Campaign itself.
As a continuation of the consultative process in drafting the Strategic Document, a special contribution was made by the academic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where university professors Lejla Turčilo and Dževad Mahmutović presented the results of research on the safety of journalists – methodology and next steps. This research, conducted by university professors from Bosnia and Herzegovina engaged as consultants of the Council of Europe, will be incorporated into the Strategic Document. It was concluded that after including the research results, the first draft of the document will be sent to the members of the Working Group for reading and suggestions.
In addition, the Secretary General of the BH Journalists Association, Borka Rudić, spoke about the challenges and the latest pressures faced by journalists in Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizing the importance of systemic protection and support.
On the second day of the meeting, discussions were held on the Report on Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Access to Information, prepared by Council of Europe experts based on inputs from the members of the Working Group. The Chair of the Working Group informed participants that the document has already been sent to relevant institutions for opinion, has undergone a public consultation, and will, upon completion of this procedure, be submitted to the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina for adoption.
