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.

March 15, 2019 marked a highlight for the “Fridays for future” movement. Over 200 parallel protests advocating for climate action were held worldwide. In Sarajevo, about twenty young people gathered in the Baščaršija to demand environmental protection from their government.

Conservative values and patriarchal structures are increasingly gaining importance as right-wing populism grows stronger. According to the latest Global Gender Gap Report, we will need another 200 years before we achieve equality between men and women worldwide.

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?

Cities in China, India and Mexico are still among the most polluted in the world. In recent years, however, concrete measures have been taken in all three countries to combat air pollution. The population in these countries has become more aware of air pollution and the issue is now also on the political agenda. On the other hand, the countries of the Western Balkans continue to invest in polluting coal-fired power plants, ignoring the deadly consequences for the population.

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.

Josipović spoke in the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo; he expressed his respect towards the sovereignty and integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina; he admitted mistakes of wrong Croatian policy in the war and post war period, and he stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina is Croatia's most important neighbour. This speech sparked a storm of reactions in the Croatian political scene. The then HDZ government of Jadranka Kosor expressed dissatisfaction. Right wing parties organised different gatherings in order to condemn Josipović's statement made in Sarajevo. There were also calls to launch a procedure for impeachment of the president, but in that period, the HDZ did not have enough power in the Croatian Parliament.

Today elections are being held in Bosnia and Herzegovina: before getting out to vote, the nationalists' radical noises have brought the atmosphere to boiling point. There are threats of secession. Republika Srpska’s government desires a Greater Serbia, Croat leaders are pushing for their own entity – the wartime goals of the 90s are coming back to life. In an extremely jingoistic atmosphere, critical or alternative forces are threatened or even murdered.                            

In den Ländern des Westlichen Balkans dominieren mehr als 20 Jahre nach den Kriegen patriarchalische, homophobe und exklusive Tendenzen, die ein Klima der Intoleranz, der Ausgrenzung, der radikalen Abschaffung von Werten prägen. Die Folge sind rigide Abwehrmechanismen gegen aufklärerische und weltliche Ansätze. Auf diese Weise wird die südöstliche Peripherie Europas dauerhaft in Krisenstimmung gehalten – nicht zuletzt angesichts einer schwach aufgestellten EU. Zum Herunterladen der PDF-Version klicken Sie bitte hier