Democracy

Sexual Harassment of women and girls is a form of violence against women and girls broadly spread, and in some cultures hard to recognize and define as a form of violence rather than a cultural norm. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

State capture by private interests is not a new phenomenon in Albania, but never in its short history as a semi-democratic country have public money, assets and space been given away in such a blunt way, with nothing in it for the citizens. This will be the first of a three-part series of articles to help the reader understand exactly what happened and how.

After the elections last October, the nationalist parties are still primarily shaping the political discourse. But there is hope: the nationalist narratives that have led Bosnia into war and keep actively blocking the development of the country are being countered by a new generation of female politicians

The Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is a contemporary witness of the social and political situation of the country. Since the end of the war, there has been no political interest in this cultural institution, not least because the museum stands for a common history of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Nevertheless, in recent years the Historical Museum has grown into a unique cultural institution.

It has been difficult up until today to convey in the Croatian public that Croats and Serbs were at war in Croatia, and at the same time supposedly collaborated in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The legitimation of the “Homeland War“ was endangered. Thus, it is no wonder that nationalist ideologists in Croatia strictly reject agreements between Tuđman and Serbia. But, the atmosphere of that time in Croatia and Serbia is documented in the press.

In order to fully understand the current and explosive situation with the newest phase in the relations between Serbia, Kosovo, and the role of the international community in all of that – primarily the USA and the EU – but likewise the consequences on the state of the region, and especially regarding the border situation, one needs to also consider the development to date of that whole “case." 

Fascism, if you will, was also the prerequisite to the Calvary that the biggest part of the joint state was forced to undergo during the 1990ies. Besides, let us remind ourselves of the so-called anti-bureaucratic revolution from the second half of the 1980ies, under whos umbrella all those were eliminated who did not agree to the politics of the Serbian leader from that time – especially in the area of Serbia and Montenegro.

Borders have always been used to determine a territory within which firm control is supposed to be established. Borders in Europe were mostly drawn up after massive and bloody wars. Drawing up borders in the Balkans was always followed by violence and ethnic cleansing.

This report offers insight into the situation on the field: is there a system responsible for protection, security, and upholding fundamental human rights? What has the state response been like? What is the role of the international community?

Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the firm grip of corrupt nationalist forces that target the country's reform processes in order to stay in power. However, the recent elections have shown the following: there are many BiH citizens who want more civil rights.