Serbia

Civil Rights Defenders cooperates with one of the most popular radio programmes in Serbia, which brings up issues of discrimination, justice and the relationship between the state and the church. We also work against immunity and for indemnities to those who have fallen victim to serious violations of human rights. Civil Rights Defenders has a field office in Belgrade.

• Long wait for fair trial

  2011-11-25 - Serbia
  

  The right to a fair hearing and access to court are the most frequent problems regarding the right to fair trial in Serbia, according to a report published by Civil Rights Defenders in collaboration with Youth Initiative for Human Rights.

• The role of civil society, citizens and media in the Western Balkans: Challenges as an opportunity

  2011-11-22 - Albania
  

  Civil Rights Defenders is organising a two-day regional conference in cooperation with Transparency International Bosnia and Herzegovina (TI BiH) on the theme “The role of civil society, citizens and media in the Western Balkans: Challenges as an opportunity“. The conference will be held in Sarajevo, November 22-23. Journalists, activists and civil society organisations from the [...]

• Jagodina Mayor convicted of hate speech

  2011-11-08 - Serbia
  

  Dragan Markovic Palma, Mayor of Jagodina and President of the parlamentary party United Serbia has been convicted of hate speech. Civil Rights Defenders welcomes the verdict but worries about the fact that the Mayor’s reaction to is was new hate speech.

• Banned parade may strengthen Serbian LGBT-community

  2011-10-11 - Serbia
  

  Despite months of planning and intense dialogue with state authorities the Belgrade Pride parade 2011 was banned. The ban, however, may bring some positive effects. Listen to an interview with Boban Stojanovic and Goran Miletic, two of the organisers.

• Ban on Pride violates fundamental right

  2011-10-03 - Serbia
  

  On September 30 the Serbian authorities decided to cancel the Belgrade Pride parade, due to threats from extremist right-wing groups. “There was no political will to support Pride”, said Goran Miletic, Civil Rights Defenders.

• Pride in Belgrade banned

  2011-09-30 - Serbia
  

  The National Security Council of the Serbian Parliament (Savet za nacionalnu bezbednost) has banned all public manifestations during the weekend, including Pride, on the grounds of national security. The Pride organisers have gathered to discuss what should be the next step.

• Support the Belgrade Pride

  2011-09-08 - Serbia
  

  We urge the Serbian president to fully support the Belgrade Pride on October 2. A vulnerable group such as the LGBT population in Serbia cannot exercise their freedom of assembly without public support and recognition, Civil Rights Defenders said in a letter to the serbian President Tadic, the Prime Minister Cvetkovic and the Mayor of Belgrade, Djilas.

• Protest against attack on Islamic Centre

  2011-08-02 - Serbia
  

  Serbian authorities are urged to react against the assault on the Islamic Center in Novi Sad, and to find those responsible and prosecute them.

• Stop discrimination against human rights defenders

  2011-06-10 - Serbia
  

  Civil Rights Defenders and several other human rights organizations condemn the prosecution of Belgzim Kamberi, Chairman of the Human Rights Board in Bujanovac in Serbia, and urge the prosecutor to shut down the case.

• 27-29 May:Conference “Justice in the Balkans: Equality for Sexual Minorities”

  2011-05-25 - Serbia
  

  On May 27-29 we co-organise a conference on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons in the Western Balkans. We hope to achieve a better understanding of the relation between human rights protection and equal rights of all people, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Serbian prisons are overcrowded



  2011-03-23 - Serbia
  

  Almost twice as many people are crammed in Serbian prisons as the buildings are designed for, Civil Rights Defenders and the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia write in a new report. This leads to problems for both inmates and staff.



• Access denied to trial against Roma minor

  2011-01-12 - Serbia
  

  The trial against the Roma minor in the village Jabuka in Serbia has started, We were again denied access to the court. We request that the boy is held in detention with other minors, and not with adults

• Minor in detention for more than six months

  2011-01-04 - Serbia
  

  Together with our partners we urge the Serbian authorities to make sure that the trial against the Roma boy B.J. be concluded as soon as possible, as the legal maximum of detention of minors has already been exceeded. We also insist to be allowed presence at the hearing.

• Belarus, our sister

  2010-12-30 - Belarus
  

  Our Human Rights Lawyer Goran Miletic calls for Serbian authorities to react upon the violations of basic human rights in Belarus, in a blog published in Pescanik on 23 December 2010.

• Assault on human rights defender in Serbia

  2010-12-23 - Serbia
  

  Civil Rights Defenders is deeply concerned about the recent attacks on Branko Zivkovic, human rights defender and journalist in Serbia. We urge the responsible authorities in Serbia to use all mechanisms available to adequately protect human rights defenders.

• Demolition of Roma barracks in Belgrade

  2010-12-17 - Serbia
  

  Four Roma families were left without a roof over their heads at temperatures below zero when their barracks were demolished.Together with our partners in the coalition against discrimination we condemn in the strongest terms the authorities´ treatment of these people.

• Serbia guilty of violating the European Convention on Human Rights

  2010-12-17 - Serbia
  

  Between 2001 and 2007 Zivota Milanovic from Jagodina, Seriba, member of Hindu Vaishnava religious community, was attacked five times because of his religious beliefs. Youth Intitative for Human Rights Serbia (YIHR) has in cooperation with Civil Rights Defenders been working actively on the case.

• Denied access to court

  2010-12-08 - Serbia
  

  Civil Rights Defenders and its partners Lawyers Committee for Human Rights and Regional Center for Minorities were yesterday denied access to a court session in Pancevo, when demanding to monitor a case of principal importance. The case involves a Roma juvenile boy who is accused of having killed his Serbian friend.

• Increasing access to information for three national minorities groups in cooperation with BETA News Agency

  2010-11-17 - Joint initiatives
  

  The purpose of this project is to offer minority media outlets objective, timely and quality information from Serbia and the region in their own languages. The project provides high-quality news programs in 3 minority languages (Albanian, Roma and Hungarian) and represents minority media in itself.

• Improving legal and other mechanisms protecting journalists and free media in cooperation with Local Press

  2010-11-17 - Joint initiatives
  

  This project has two major goals: to provide legal protection to independent media, thereby diminishing the power of groups which try to misuse the media to achieve their political ends or advance other interests; and to promote ethical and professional standards in journalism.

• Organizing the Pride Parade in Belgrade in cooperation with the Pride Organisational Board

  2010-11-17 - Joint initiatives
  

  Efforts are made for the Belgrade Pride Parade to be carried out as planned, whereas it was banned last year.

• Pride Week in Belgrade

  2010-10-10 - Events
  

  On Sunday, the 10th of October, there will be a Pride Parade in Belgrade, Serbia. All through out this week there are ongoing activities in Belgrade, like movie screenings, seminars and exhibitions. To read more about Belgrade Pride and to check out the schedule. Civil Rights Defenders is arranging “Day Before Pride” together with the [...]

• Police protected Pride participants

  2010-10-10 - Serbia
  

  A Pride parade was held today, for the first time ever in Serbia. Great efforts where required from the police in order to guarantee security for the participants. The Serbian authorities have sent a clear signal that the rights of LGBT persons are taken seriously.

• New attempt to organise Pride in Belgrade

  2010-10-07 - Serbia
  

  On Sunday October 10th a new attempt will be made to carry out a Pride parade in Belgrade. Robert Hårdh, Executive Director of Civil Rights Defenders, will be in the Serbian capital to participate in the parade.

• 10th anniversary of Human Rights Network

  2010-09-21 - Serbia
  

  Our partner the Network of Committees for Human Rights in Serbia (CHRIS) was founded in 2000 in order to provide free legal aid to citizens whose human rights had been violated.

• Pride Parade in Belgrade

  2010-09-09 - Serbia
  

  On October the 10th there will be a new attempt to organize a Pride Parade in Belgrade, Serbia.

• Human rights in Serbia

  2010-09-01 - Analysis
  

  (Updated in September 2010) The event with greatest consequences for Serbia in the past two years was the declaration of Kosovo independence in February 2008, only 16 months after the dissolution of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Since then, relations between Serbia and some of the neighbouring countries have become strained and foreign [...]

• Making education accessible to children with disabilities – in cooperation with Veliki Mali

  2010-08-19 - Joint initiatives
  

  Civil Rights Defenders cooperation with Veliki Mali aims at making education more accessible to children with disabilities, by enhancing parents’ participation in the decision-making processes concerning their children and the quality of education that they receive.

• Developing independent media – in cooperation with ANEM

  2010-08-11 - Joint initiatives
  

  Through our cooperation we aim to assist ANEM, Association of Independent Electronic Media, and its stations to increase their capacities and influence. Our work also contributes to helping the entire media sector to improve media regulations.

• Threats for commemoration of murdered youth

  2010-06-15 - Serbia
  

  Our partner Youth Initiative for Human Rights received a threatening letter, calling them pro-fascist and saying that everyone who took part in a march marking the 15th anniversary of murdered youth in Tuzla, should move to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• Deficiencies in implementation of transitional laws

  2010-06-15 - Serbia
  

  Serbian authorities are still not doing enough toward ensuring implementation of recently enacted laws and enabling unobstructed operation of independent institutions, according to findings in a report by Youth Initiative for Human Rights and Civil Rights Defenders.

• Stimulating the debate on transitional issues – in cooperation with Pescanik

  2010-05-09 - Joint initiatives
  

  We continue our cooperation with the radio show Pescanik (hourglass) in order to help stimulate the public debate on vital issues in the Serbian society. The show attracts 400.000 listeners every week and covers issues such as; transitional justice, corruption, and many more topics related to civil and political rights.

• Providing legal assistance – in cooperation with CHRIS Network

  2010-05-09 - Joint initiatives
  

  Together with CHRIS we provide free legal assistance to citizens, as well as free legal aid before the courts to victims of serious human rights violations. Every year we agree on a number of strategic cases for litigation before the courts.

• Strengthening capacities of minority groups – in cooperation with Regional Centre for Minorities

  2010-05-09 - Joint initiatives
  

  Together with Regional Centre for Minorities, RCM, we are strengthening the capacities of minority and human rights NGOs, local authorities, the judiciary and members of central and regional authorities that are dealing with different minority groups.

• Human rights defenders arrested at protest against Srebrenica Declaration

  2010-04-13 - Serbia
  

  Nine people from our partner organisation, Youth Initiative for Human Rights, were arrested by the police while protesting against the content of the Srebrenica Declaration. They were detained for several hours without getting information of what they were suspected of.

• Monitoring human rights with specific focus on closed institutions – in cooperation with Helsinki Committee for Human Rights

  2010-04-09 - Joint initiatives
  

  Our cooperation with the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia aims to bring to the public eye violations of human and minority rights. The Annual Report on human rights in Serbia presents the most pressing needs, constraints and priorities regarding the human rights situation in Serbia.

• Success for the Gay Straight Alliance

  2010-03-30 - Serbia
  

  2009 was an important year for the LGBT movement in Serbia. For the first time cooperation between LGBT organisations and other human rights organisations was established to integrate LGBT issues in all human rights work, Civil Rights Defenders partner, Gay Straight Alliance, says in its Annual Report.

• Educating media and duty-holders in LGBT rights – in cooperation with Labris

  2010-03-15 - Joint initiatives
  

  Together with Labris we struggle to decrease the level of homophobia and ignorance about the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. Our main activities are lobbying, advocacy, education and networking, but we are also providing legal counseling for LGBT people.

• Fighting impunity – in cooperation with Humanitarian Law Centre

  2010-03-09 - Joint initiatives
  

  Together with Humanitarian Law Centre, HLC, we identify victims of human rights violations and secure relevant evidence. We are also providing legal support and representing the victims of war crimes and serious human rights violations in civil proceedings for reparation.

• Improving the respect of human rights standards – in cooperation with Centre for Advanced Legal Studies

  2010-02-15 - Joint initiatives
  

  In cooperation with Centre for Advanced Legal Studies we established the Coalition Against Discrimination to lobby for an inclusive Law against discrimination. In 2009 it was finally adopted by the Serbian government. We now continue lobbying for other laws in the human rights field.

• Organising competition in European Law – in cooperation with Young Lawyers of Serbia

  2010-01-31 - Joint initiatives
  

  In cooperation with our partner Young Lawyers of Serbia we are organising the fourth regional Moot Court competition for law students from the Western Balkans, with the aim to increase practical knowledge on cases, rules and procedures of the European Court on Human Rights, both among students at Law faculties and among existing legal professionals.

• Impunity leads to new violence

  2010-01-27 - Events
  

  Internationally-supported transitional justice projects have come to play a central role in broader efforts to build peace, democracy and the rule of law in troubled states, based on the belief that impunity for war crimes tends to lead to new cycles of violence. But the record shows that their most prominent mechanisms – truth commissions [...]

• A Truth Commission Strengthens Rule of Law

  2009-12-14 - Serbia
  

  A truth commission in the Western Balkans would contribute to the democratisation process and to strengthening of the rule of law. This was the expressed opinion of the participants at a recently arranged conference in Brussels by, among others, the Humanitarian Law Centre, our cooperation partner.

• Serbian government must act on journalist attacks

  2009-12-08 - Serbia
  

  Civil Rights Defenders strongly condemns the attacks on authors of the TV show ‘Insider’ and requests immediate action in bringing those responsible to justice.

• Civil Society Wants a Truth Commission in the Western Balkans

  2009-11-18 - Events
  

  The civil society in the Western Balkans has initiated a process to establish a Regional Commission for Truth-seeking and Truth-telling About War Crimes. A very large number of NGOs in all the countries involved support and promote the initiative. The focus ahead will be to get the duty holders committed to the process. Will that [...]

• Manifestation Against Violence

  2009-10-02 - Serbia
  

  Today a “Citizens Response to Violence” is organized in Belgrade by several NGOs, including Civil Rights Defenders. The manifestation is a response to the severe violent attacks by extremist groups which have taken place in Belgrade the last two weeks. It is also a support action for the organizers of the planned Belgrade Pride which [...]

• Has Serbia capitulated to the perpetrators and hooligans?

  2009-09-30 - Events
  

  The Pride Parade that would have been held in Belgrade, September 20, was stopped in the last minute. The Interior Ministry and the police suddenly announced that if the parade would be held in central Belgrade the  participants’ safety could not be guaranteed. This means in fact that the parade was banned, and shows that [...]

• Belgrade Pride Cancelled

  2009-09-21 - Serbia
  

  In the last minute the Ministry of Interior in Serbia stopped the Belgrade Pride planned for Sunday Sep 20. On Saturday morning the police suddenly stated that it would not be abel to guarantee security for the participants in the parade if the parade as planned was to be held in the center of Belgrade. [...]

• Belgrade Pride – a Trial of Democracy for Serbia

  2009-09-18 - Serbia
  

  On Sunday, September 20th, a Pride parade will be arranged in Belgrad. During the last attempt in 2001, peaceful demonstrators were attacked and beaten by nationalist groups and football hooligans. The police stood on the sidelines and watched. This time the Ministry of Interior and the police have promised to guarantee security for the participants, [...]

• Hopes of a peaceful Pride Parade in Belgrade

  2009-09-18 - Serbia
  

  The Serbian ministry of Interior has promised to protect the participants of the Pride parade, which takes place on September 20th in Belgrade. We will be there to see how much force the authorities put behind their promises. In a letter to Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and to Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic, Civil Rights [...]

• Increasing Violence Against LGBT-people

  2009-08-20 - Serbia
  

  One of Swedish Helsinki Committee’s partners in Serbia, the Gay Straight Alliance, report a rise in LGBT-related violence in recent weeks.

• Violation of fundamental rights when writer risks jail sentence for peaceful meeting

  2009-05-21 - Serbia
  

  Biljana Srbljanovic, renowned Serbian writer and human rights defender, has been accused of disorderly conduct for her participation at the promotion of Pescanik radio show in Pancevo, Serbia. However, the members of the right-wing and nationalistic organizations who tried to disrupt the meeting were free to go. On March 1st, 2009, Biljana Srbljanovic attended the [...]

• NGO:s protest after forced eviction of Roma families

  2009-04-08 - Serbia
  

  After the forced eviction of 47 Roma families in one part of Belgrade, Serbia, the Swedish Helsinki Committee along with 42 NGOs demand urgent action from the authorities to solve the desperate situation of these 128 individuals in total. The authorities are urged to find appropriate alternative accommodation and to restrain from statements denying basic [...]

• Serbia adopts Law against discrimination

  2009-03-26 - Serbia
  

  An all inclusive law against discrimination was finally adopted by the Serbian Parliament on Thursday March 26. It is a great result for the Swedish Helsinki Committee and for all the local NGOs that have been pushing for the adoption of this law for years. The whole process of adopting the law is a symbolic [...]

• Law Against Discrimination is Withdrawn

  2009-03-10 - Serbia
  

  The Swedish Helsinki Committee is strongly critical to the decision of the Serbian government to withdraw the proposal for a law against discrimination. In this way they are giving in to pressure from among others the Serbian Orthodox Church. It is completely unacceptable that the religious communities are allowed to affect the legislation process in [...]

• Presentation of LGBT report stopped

  2009-02-24 - Serbia
  

  Two days before the planned press conference, the Director of Sava Centar notified the organisers that the report about the situation for LGBT persons in Serbia could not be presented in the Centre. “That kind of organisations are not welcome”, he announced. Gay-Straight Alliance, partner of the Swedish Helsinki Committee, has conducted a wide survey [...]

• Civil society calls for remembrance of the genocide in Srebrenica

  2009-02-18 - Serbia
  

  A group of NGOs, including four of the Swedish Helsinki Committee’s long-standing partners in Serbia, are starting a campaign for a day of remembrance for the genocide in Srebrenica. In an open letter to Serbian President Boris Tadic the organisations urge the president to support the demand for an official day of remembrance. The requirement [...]

• Free Zone for Human Rights

  2008-11-07 - Serbia
  

  On November 7th the popular film festival “Frizon” opens in Belgrade for the fourth year running. The Swedish Helsinki Committee, together with REX, has helped promote the festival and over the years it has become a significant part of Serbian culture. The films shown during the festival concern current social and political issues and they [...]