31 Mar Three freedoms under the magnifying glass: 27-31 March 2020
Belgrade, March 31, 2020
Violations of basic freedoms in Serbia during the state of emergency
27-31 March, 2020
Due to the new situation in the world caused by the global pandemic of the Covid-19 virus and the declaration of a state of emergency on the territory of the Republic of Serbia, in addition to violations of the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression, given the circumstances, Civic Initiatives will monitor other human rights in the coming period.
The observed period was marked by legal insecurity embodied in eclectic cases of abuses of state of emergency, as well as by the arbitrary and non-transparent actions of the competent authorities, which further impede normal functioning during the pandemic of the corona virus pandemic. Numerous normative and factual constraints adversely affect the sustainability of the activities of media and journalism associations, as well as civil society organizations, primarily those engaged in the provision of services and assistance to citizens. On the other hand, the current situation is also used to deal with political opponents as well and independent media, while there are no reactions of those responsible for spreading fake news and misinformation.
It is also worrying that the state of Serbia did not fulfill its obligations under international human rights instruments of which it is a signatory, by failing to notify the Secretary-General of the United Nations, or the Council of Europe, of the derogation of the rights established by those acts, but also by establishing the practice of express trials in the online processes and the most severe penalties provided. These facts indicate that the state has opted for a restrictive and repressive approach to solving the crisis, neglecting the importance of information, education and cooperation with citizens.
An overview of the cases recorded during this period can be downloaded below.
Violations of basic rights during the state emergency in Serbia: 27-31 March