Lords committee to hold session on governance and human rights in the Western Balkans

This session continues the Committee’s short inquiry scrutinising the UK Government’s commitment to “step up” engagement with the Western Balkan countries “to boost their prosperity, security and resilience to Russian interference”, as set out in the 2023 Integrated Review Refresh.

The session will start at 10:30am and will be available to watch live or on demand at Parliament TV, or attend in person in Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster.

Giving evidence will be:

10.30am

• Chris Levick, Regional Director, Europe and Central Asia, Westminster Foundation for Democracy;
• Dr Tena Prelec, Research Associate, London School of Economics and;
• Maja Raicevic, Executive Director, Women’s Rights Centre, Montenegro

Questions will include:

• What are the key challenges to human rights and/or democracy in the Western Balkans?
•  Corruption and state capture are often cited as one of the biggest challenges facing the region. Have any of the Western Balkan states made more decisive progress on tackling individual and institutional corruption than others; if so, what is the reason for this?
•  What impact does crime and corruption in the Western Balkans have on the UK? What are the consequences of inaction?
•  Is EU integration and the potential for EU membership still a significant driver of reform in the Western Balkans? If not, what are the alternatives to support reform and prosperity in the region?
•  Empowering women and girls and supporting efforts to tackle gender-based violence is one of the UK’s development goals for the region. What progress has been made in this area across the Western Balkans in recent years? What are the biggest obstacles to further progress?