31 Oct Three freedoms under the magnifying glass: 16-31 October, 2019
Belgrade, October 31, 2019
Review of Violations of Freedom of Association, Assembly and Expression in Serbia 16-31 October 2019
After 6 months on the CIVICUS monitor watch list, Serbia has fallen into the category of countries where fundamental freedoms have been obstructed, signifying a significant collapse of freedom of assembly, expression and association. Serbia is the only country in the region in this category. As for the whole of Europe, Hungary, Ukraine and Moldova are in this category.
The past two weeks have been marked by personal attacks on prominent individuals who have been perceived by the public as harsh critics of current government. The most intense attacks were suffered by Bishop Grigorije and Professor Danica Popovic in order to diminish their credibility in public. The campaign against whistleblower from Valjevo, Aleksandar Obradovic, with top state officials led by the President of the Republic, has continued, while attacks on N1 television have become a regular activity of ruling party officials.
In March this year Serbia was placed on the CIVICUS Monitor Watch List as a country where these freedoms are seriously threatened.
Three freedoms under the magnifying glass: 16-31 October
* Civic Initiatives as a partner of CIVICUS Monitor for Serbia send bi-weekly reports in English since August 2018. Learn more about the CIVICUS Monitor here.
Representatives of 20 civil society organisations signed in Belgrade the Three Freedoms Platform for the Protection of Civic Space in the Republic of Serbia, in order to protect and promote the freedom of association, assembly and information. The Platform is intended to act as a joint block of civil society organizations (associations, professional organizations, foundations, endowments, and other forms of associations including informal groups of citizens) to stand for the protection of endangered freedoms and create conditions for unhindered participation of citizens in public affairs through civil society development.