As a number of Western Balkan countries join the global trend toward authoritarianism, human rights are suffering, the latest Amnesty International report warns. Original post Here

A government proposal to extend the abortion time limit by two weeks and allow surrogacy was criticised by an opposition MP who called the practice a form of modern slavery for poor women. Original post Here

Families of demonstrators shot dead by security forces at an anti-government protest in 2011 have renewed hopes of justice after the Supreme Court transferred the case to a powerful special prosecution service that deals with high-level crime. Original post Here

While addressing disinformation is a crucial task, the concern is that Albania’s new parliamentary committee could be just another tool to silence critical voices. Original post Here

Experts say legislation is needed to address toxic social media content that too often turns into offline violence in Albania, but there are fears authorities will seek again to exploit the issue for political gain. Original post Here

In some parts of the Balkans, particularly among Albanians, a practice of selective abortion continues to cause a disbalance in the ratio of boys to girls born each year. Original post Here

Four Balkan states slipped down the latest press freedom rankings compiled by Reporters Without Borders. Original post Here

Albania’s Football Federation said it has teamed up with its Serbian counterpart to organise the European Under-21 football competition together with its neighbour in three years’ time. Original post Here

Farmers in Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia face similar challenges when trying to access funds from the European Union’s IPARD programme. Original post Here

Expressions of sorrow over the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other officials are coming from some Balkan countries but not others – depending on the state of their relations with Tehran. Original post Here