Bosnia and Herzegovina - February 2025

On 27 February, the Republika Srpska (RS) Parliament approved the ‘foreign agent’ law in a vote boycotted by the opposition, and it was swiftly published in the official gazette. The law is nearly unchanged from the previous draft law  proposed in 2023 and later withdrawn in 2024. It, was re-introduced this month under an urgent procedure following the criminal conviction of RS President Milorad Dodik. It regulates the activities of NGOs receiving foreign funding, requiring them to register as ‘foreign agents’ and comply with strict reporting to the RS Justice Ministry. In case of a violation, the Ministry can issue an administrative fine, request the court to ban the NGO’s operations, or initiate criminal proceedings against the organisation’s management under the law. The legislation has been criticised by local NGOs citing concerns for the suppression of critical voices, as well as the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, who warned it could discourage organisations from advocacy. 

Sources: Klix, Article19, International IDEA, RFE/RL, Balkan Civil Society Development Network, Council of Europe, RS National Assembly