Human Rights Regressing in Many Balkan Countries – Amnesty Report
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
Plans to Allow Surrogacy in Albania Criticised by Opposition
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
Shell Dashes Albanians’ Hopes of Major Oil Find
The government of Edi Rama has been talking up the potential of a major oil discovery beneath Mount Shpirag, but the discovery has yet to materialise. Original post Here
New Probe of Albanian Protesters’ Killings Gives Hope for Justice
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
Parts of Albania’s Opposition Spurns Call to Join Anti-Corruption Commission
Several opposition groups have rejected PM Edi Rama’s invitation for them back a parliamentary commission tasked with undertaking a more systemic fight against corruption, saying Rama has no crerdibility in this field Original post Here
Balkan States Fall in Press Freedom Rankings
Four Balkan states slipped down the latest press freedom rankings compiled by Reporters Without Borders. Original post Here
Boys Preferred: Sex-Selective Abortion Still Happening in the Balkans
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
Condolences – and Silence – from Balkans Over Iranian President’s Death
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
Balkan Support for EU Accession High, Except in Serbia – Survey
Corruption remains a serious concern for people across the Western Balkans, where trust in politicians is low but support for EU accession high, except in Serbia. Original post Here
Political Attacks, Misogynistic Insults Continue to Pollute Balkan Online Space
The aftermath of elections in Turkey and Croatia and the electoral campaign in North Macedonia prompted politically-motivated digital rights violations in the region this month, while Kosovo and Montenegro saw an increase in misogynistic attacks on women online. Original post Here