Gong
Gong
Gong is an interdisciplinary research laboratory, social watchdog and a think-do tank focused on enhancing democratic processes and institutions as well as developing democratic political culture.
ID: 180972127836-49
Lobbying Activity
Response to EU Civil Society Strategy
29 Jul 2025
Gong is a democracy watchdog focused on enhancing democratic processes and institutions as well as developing democratic political culture. We welcome the European Commissions initiative to develop the Civil Society Strategy aimed at promoting dialogue with policymakers and protecting civic space, recognising civil societys vital role in safeguarding democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We are witnessing shrinking civic space at the EU level, evident in the initiatives of right-wing EU politicians to increase pressure on NGOs through financial monitoring, cutting funds for advocacy activities, widespread smear campaigns labelling CSOs as foreign agents, SLAPPs, verbal harassment (particularly online) and sometimes even physical attacks, governments attempts at restricting freedom of association and assembly, as well as the adoption of policies that undermine the human rights of minorities, growing levels of racism and discrimination. These issues are well documented in FRAs Fundamental Rights Reports, Rule of Law Reports (EC, Civil Liberties Union) and reports on civic space (ECF, CIVICUS). At the national level, Gong detected the following challenges affecting the work of civil society organisations and activists: 1) the growth of the use of SLAPP lawsuits against activists and journalists, with the aim of financially exhausting and silencing them; 2) lack of political will to adopt a new national civil society strategy, which is due since 2016 and without which there can be no stable growth and development of civil society; and 3) the participation of NGOs in the decision-making processes has been weakened by changes to the functioning and representation in consultative bodies and working groups. As a result, the ability of CSOs to influence policymaking has been weakened, as in the case of online consultations on legislative proposals. Finally, a key problem for Croatian civil society is its financing, which is inappropriate and insufficient. Croatian civil society is largely dependent on highly competitive international funds due to a lack of opportunities for funding activities related to human rights, democracy, the rule of law and transparency at the national level. When they do secure funding, CSOs are often reduced to providing community services rather than influencing policy, and are often required to undergo extensive administration that becomes an end in itself. Public awareness about the contributions of civil society to social development is continuously low, and deteriorates further with the proliferation of smear campaigns against CSOs (especially in periods before elections) and the belittling of CSOs by some high-ranking government officials. Given the abovementioned issues, some recommendations to consider are: 1. Support the participation of civil society organisations in policymaking by providing - rather than restricting - funding for advocacy/lobbying activities, ensuring transparency through clear rules and procedures. 2. Encourage member states to develop efficient, sustainable and innovative models of financing civil society and to exchange best practices. 3. Improve access to EU funding by reducing administrative and co-funding requirements, while increasing the transparency of granting mechanisms. 4. Monitor the election processes of civil society delegates in consultative bodies such as the EESC to ensure adequate representation and independence from national governments. 5. Quality civic education at all levels of formal education should be among national priorities in fostering civic engagement and resilient civil society. Cooperation between educational institutions and CSOs should be an essential part of these efforts. 6. Civic space should have a dedicated chapter in the annual Rule of Law Reports, accompanied by concrete recommendations for member states.
Read full responseResponse to 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard
6 Dec 2022
Gong is concerned about the possible political influence on the judiciary due to the decisions of the High Administrative Court, after which the Commission for the Prevention of Conflict of Interest has been significantly weakened. After the Commision, one of the most important anti corruption bodies, started questioning two cases involving the current prime minister Plenkovic, the Court started rejecting their decisions that they have previously been confirming for years. The Court used the same arguments against the Commission as did the PM earlier when he publicly attacked the Commission. Along with judicial independence, Gong calls for the responsibility of the judiciary, which cannot not exist without transparency. That is why we produced a set of recommendations for more transparency in judiciary, especially when appointing judges, making all court decisions available to the public and stronger ethical rules. At Gongs roundtable on transparency in the judiciary, a member of the SJC, MP Arsen Bauk, said that he never had any insight into judges asset declaration, de facto confessing that the SJC has no control over them. We evaluate the first steps of the President of the Supreme Court as positive, since Dobronic insists on more transparency and the suppression of clientelism, which has been met with certain resistance. The judges of the Supreme Court confronted him after he sent them a questionnaire regarding extrajudicial activities, leading to controversial findings such as that court presidents have no idea where their judges are when they are not on court. https://www.jutarnji.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/vrhovni-suci-napali-dobronica-jer-se-drznuo-sazvati-okrugli-stol-o-sudackom-fusanju-i-angazmanu-rodbine-spustio-im-je-15218444 https://www.jutarnji.hr/vijesti/hrvatska/upitnik-koji-je-razbjesnio-i-razotkrio-hrvatske-suce-sa-strane-zaraduju-na-desetke-tisuca-kuna-15161030 Gong considers that extrajudicial activities should be more transparent and further regulated in terms of compensation and maximum hours, also that appointment of judges, which is under the competence of the SJC, should be more open to the public, especially the interviews with the candidates that are commonly used for manipulations within the grading system. Considering numerous cases of nepotism, we consider that judges should also declare whether members of their family are employed within the judicial system. It is important to achieve the balance of judicial independence and responsibility in order to avoid corporatism. In Croatia, this is considered a taboo and an insult, even though this was also pointed out by GRECO and the Venice Commission, as former candidate for the presidency of the Supreme Court pointed out. What causes corporatism is that two-thirds of the SJC are judges, as well as external criteria of excellence being removed in the election of judges, such as university grades, leading to other institutions having no influence in evaluating the candidates. In conclusion, the SJC is an exclusive professional group with high privileges and no external control. Croatian judges tend to launch SLAPP suits that want to silence and financially exhaust journalists, such as when former Supreme Court judge Senka Klaric Baranovic sued a journalist that had to pay 40.000 kunas for an article that violated her honor. Gong points out that, for the suppression of SLAPPs, all courts must publish all court rulings against publishers and journalists. The case of Osijek judges suspended for accepting bribes from the runaway football manager indicates the low level of ethical standards in the judiciary. Also, the case from Slavonia in which the president of the municipal court bought a penthouse of 100 square meters for 1000 euros, indicates low ethical standards.
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