16 Sep Stop Repression Against Citizens and Hate Speech Against Activists
A large number of unfounded arrests and detentions of citizens in recent weeks has been accompanied by a propaganda offensive against alleged foreign mercenaries who, in the interests of hostile countries, are said to be undermining the state order. The goal of such manipulations, propagated by government representatives and media close to them, is to justify repression against political dissenters and to deter citizens from participating in legitimate and legal protests through fear.
In this context, we understand the “exposure of the financing channels for the special war against Serbia,” which was broadcast “live” on August 20th by Informer television, hosted by Dragan J. Vučićević, the owner of Informer. This was an extremely cheap, yet equally dangerous attempt to manipulate the public, targeting a large number of people who work honestly in civil society organizations.
It is impossible to count the number of times the story about foreign mercenaries has been activated over the past decades, always with malicious intent towards those fighting for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, even though civil society organizations are completely transparent about the donations they receive from abroad. In this regard, it must be emphasized again that the overwhelming majority of foreign donations goes to the state of Serbia and its institutions.
According to OECD data, 85.7 percent of donations and international development aid is directed towards the government and state entities. An additional 12.3 percent is donated through associations, foundations, and international organizations for donor projects, while only 2 percent is allocated directly to the work of organizations, which often provide social and other services to those in need – services that the state frequently neglects as its obligation.
Vučićević also dealt with alleged data that is not publicly available – for example, salaries (which are generally average given the qualifications) of employees in the civil sector. This raises a disturbing but entirely justified suspicion that protected data from various state institutions is ending up in the hands of someone who has chosen to slander, defame, and endanger the innocent for his (very lucrative) job. Unauthorized sharing of confidential data is a criminal offense, and it is especially concerning when the law is violated under the guise of institutions.
We demand that the highest authorities of the Republic of Serbia stop the persecution and intimidation of citizens who peacefully express disagreement with some of the government’s decisions. We urge the citizens of Serbia not to fall for cheap propaganda accusations against their fellow citizens working in Serbia’s civil sector and dedicated to the common public interest.
The statement is signed by:
– Autonomous Women’s Center
– Belgrade Open School
– Belgrade Center for Security Policy
– Belgrade Center for Human Rights
– BIRN
– Center for Contemporary Politics
– Crta
– European Movement in Serbia
– Humanitarian Law Center
– Civic Initiatives
– Youth Initiative for Human Rights
– Novi Sad School of Journalism
– NUNS
– Partners Serbia
– Polekol
– RERI
– Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation
– Trag Foundation
– YUCOM
– Zaječar Initiative