The US State Department, in its new report on the state of human rights in the world, has assessed that freedom of expression and media freedom are limited in the Western Balkan countries. It has also been found that the president of the entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, has undermined the constitutional order of Bosnia with increased verbal and legal attacks.
The report on the Western Balkan countries also highlights a problem identified in previous reports: impunity for war crimes.
In the section on Kosovo, in the first report of the State Department under the administration of President Donald Trump, it is stated that the authorities have not taken consistent steps to identify, investigate, prosecute and punish officials who have committed human rights violations.
For Albania, it is said that "the government, political parties and criminal groups have used direct links with media owners and senior editors to influence the content of reporting."
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is said that the authorities of Republika Srpska have taken actions that have weakened state institutions, increased interethnic tensions, and restricted freedom of expression.
In the section on Serbia, it is stated that there have been no major changes in the human rights situation, but reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression and the media are highlighted, including violence or threats against journalists, unjustified persecution and trafficking in human beings, including forced labor.
For Montenegro, the report says that in 2024 there were no significant changes in the human rights situation, but among the problems identified are reports of torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, as well as serious restrictions on freedom of expression and the media.
In the section on North Macedonia, the report cites non-governmental organizations that emphasize that media freedoms are endangered by strategic lawsuits against journalists (SLAPP), pressure from officials, self-censorship, and attacks due to investigations into corruption, disinformation, and hate speech.
The state of the world
The US State Department has significantly softened its criticism of several countries considered close partners of Republican President Donald Trump, such as El Salvador and Israel, countries that human rights organizations claim have a serious history of human rights violations.
The report removed mention of the discrimination faced by the LGBT+ community, reduced its previous focus on reproductive rights, and added criticism of restrictions on political speech in US allies in Europe, which, according to US officials, target right-wing politicians, the AP agency writes.
The report cites what the Trump administration considers to be restrictions on freedom of expression in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
In the same language for all three NATO allies, it is stated that "human rights conditions have deteriorated during the year."
"Kosovo, inconsistent in punishing human rights violators"
In the section on Kosovo, the US State Department mentioned that the Government has taken "credible but inconsistent steps to identify, investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who have committed human rights violations."
In the 2024 report, it was mentioned that the Association of Kosovo Journalists (AGK) reported that it had been the target of defamation campaigns several times when it defended journalists and media outlets.
"The AGK has reported that government officials, including the Prime Minister and members of the ruling political party, have engaged in smear campaigns to undermine public trust in the media," the report said.
In Albania, the influence of politics and businesses on journalists
The section on Albania highlights that independent media organizations and professional journalists have alleged that the Government, political parties, businesses, and criminal groups have sought to influence the media in inappropriate and non-transparent ways.
"There have been credible reports that senior media representatives have used their platforms to blackmail businesses, threatening negative reporting. Political pressure, corruption and lack of funding have limited the independence of the print media, while journalists have reportedly practiced self-censorship."
The report adds that “the lack of enforceable employment contracts has reduced the independence of journalists and contributed to biased reporting.”
It also states that "political and business interests have exerted pressure on journalists. Some journalists have reported receiving threatening messages or becoming the subject of public smear campaigns after reporting on alleged government corruption or abuses."
"In March, the Albanian Journalists' Union publicly denounced the prime minister for using intimidating language towards a journalist who was investigating tourism investments in the country."
The report notes that “journalists often practiced self-censorship to avoid violence, harassment, or to protect their jobs. The government, political parties, and criminal groups reportedly used direct ties to media owners and senior editors to influence the content of reporting.”
In Bosnia, Dodik has undermined the constitutional order
In the section on Bosnia and Herzegovina, the report emphasizes that in the entity of Republika Srpska, authorities have taken actions that have weakened state institutions, increased interethnic tensions, and restricted freedom of expression.
“The increased verbal and legal attacks by the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, have undermined the country’s constitutional order, while his polarizing and offensive rhetoric has further contributed to political and ethnic tensions across the country,” the summary says. Key human rights issues in Bosnia include serious restrictions on freedom of expression and the media, including threats and violence against journalists, as well as the presence of the worst forms of child labor. The report notes that the authorities have not taken credible steps to investigate or punish officials responsible for human rights violations.
The problem of impunity for war crimes is also mentioned.
"The main obstacles to prosecuting war crimes have been the passage of time, the failure to prioritize the most complex cases with the most responsible perpetrators, inefficient management and case segregation, and the lack of regional cooperation. Although legal mechanisms existed for this, victims have faced obstacles in obtaining compensation in criminal proceedings, due to the failure of prosecutors to obtain and present evidence on their behalf and the reluctance of courts to rule on these claims," the report states.
The report also highlights pressures and threats against journalists, citing the case when Milorad Dodik publicly attacked BN television, calling it a "traitor" for reporting on his family's alleged corruption.
Foreign Minister Elmedin Konakovic is mentioned in the context of criticism from the “BH Novinari” association, after suggesting that public broadcasters in Bosnia and the Federation – FTV and BHRT – could solve their long-term financial problems if management “worked according to the dictates” of the governing coalition’s policies.
The report also highlights the problem of forced child marriages, noting that they are on the rise, while legal protection is rarely implemented.
In Serbia, attacks on journalists and excessive role of the state in the media sector
In the section on Serbia, the report emphasizes that there have been no major changes in the human rights situation.
Key issues identified include credible reports of serious restrictions on freedom of expression and the media, including violence or threats against journalists, unjustified harassment, and human trafficking, including forced labor.
The report also notes the slow processing of war crimes cases.
Regarding media freedom, attacks on journalists, lack of transparency in media ownership, and the excessive role of the state in the media sector were mentioned.
"The Regulator for Electronic Media (REM), at the end of 2023, granted a regional broadcasting license to Informer TV without a public competition, which raises concerns about this channel's close ties to the ruling party," the report states.
It is also evident that financial pressure has led to self-censorship, with media avoiding criticism of the Government for fear of consequences.
Although the constitution and law prohibit torture and ill-treatment, the report cites two cases of excessive use of force by police officers.
Serious restrictions on freedom of expression in Montenegro
For Montenegro, the report emphasizes that during 2024 there were no significant changes in the human rights situation.
Among the main problems are reports of torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, as well as serious restrictions on freedom of expression and the media. Non-governmental organizations, including Human Rights Action and Civic Alliance, have criticized the authorities' slowness in prosecuting war crimes, recognizing victims, and paying reparations for the 1990s war.
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