Dunja Mijatovic appointed senior advisor at Committee to Protect Journalists

Mijatovic served as the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2024, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Before that, she was the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media from 2010 to 2017. Her international career places her among the most prominent citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina to have held senior positions in European institutions.

Unlike diplomats representing their respective governments, Mijatovic held independent international mandates, monitoring human rights and press freedom across member states and publicly addressing violations.

Announcing her appointment, CPJ Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Fiona O'Brien praised Mijatovic's longstanding commitment to defending independent journalism.

"Dunja's expertise, knowledge and commitment have rightly earned her a reputation for being a powerful and dedicated defender of press freedom," O'Brien said.

"Journalism and journalists across the region are coming under pressure like never before – from the decimation of independent media in Russia to the insidious backsliding on press freedom in established democracies. I am thrilled to welcome Dunja to the team to help us meet these challenges head-on."

Mijatovic emphasized that protecting journalists is inseparable from defending the public's fundamental rights.

"Protecting journalists means defending everyone's right to know, to question, and to hold power accountable," she said.

"I have long valued CPJ's rigorous reporting and courageous advocacy for journalists at risk. It is a true honor to join its dedicated team at a time when threats to independent journalism are increasingly severe."

Originally from Sarajevo, Mijatovic has extensive experience in media freedom, journalists' safety, freedom of expression and human rights advocacy. She is also a Thakore Visiting Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's Perry World House and a member of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe.

The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting press freedom worldwide. It defends the right of journalists to report safely and without fear of reprisal, documents threats against media professionals and advocates for the protection of independent journalism.