Institutional work continued this week in Sarajevo on finalising the first Pilot Report on freedom of expression and free access to information in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The report aims to support the country in fully implementing these freedoms in line with European standards.

Relevant state and entity institutions, independent bodies, and civil society organisations involved in the Cross-Coordinating Working Group on Monitoring and Reporting on Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Information in Bosnia and Herzegovina met on 10 and 11 April 2025 to exchange feedback on the second draft of the report and discuss next steps.

The Pilot Report represents the first systematic attempt to gather all relevant information and assess the current situation in line with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s international obligations. It is intended to structure future reporting efforts on these rights and to serve as an initial model for monitoring and reporting on freedom of expression and access to information.

Robust reporting and monitoring will enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to address challenges and ensure full respect for the right to freedom of expression and free access to information, in accordance with the domestic legal framework, relevant international standards, and the country’s international commitments.

The work of the Cross-Coordinating Working Group has been supported by the Council of Europe through the project “Enhancing Institutional Capacities on Freedom of Expression and Information (EFEx) in Bosnia and Herzegovina,“ which is funded under the Council of Europe's Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025 through the voluntary contribution of Sweden via the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).