The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights held a press conference on Monday, 16 March, at which it presented its eleventh annual Report on Human Rights. The Report analyses Serbian human rights legislation and its conformity with international standards and the respect of specific rights in practice. The BCHR also presented its reports on activities of legal institutions in fields of war crimes, organised crime, discrimination and domestic violence. These reports include specific recommendations on amending the legislation and practice to advance the efficiency of  state authorities in combatting these crimes. They are the result of BCHR’s one-year work on the project “Monitoring and Reporting the Activities of Legal Institutions in Serbia in the Fields of Organised Crime, War Crimes, Discrimination and Domestic Violence”.  

The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights condemns the Government decision to withdraw from the agenda the Draft Anti-Discrimination Act just before the Serbian Assembly session. There are no reasonable grounds to again bring into question the state’s readiness to finally enact a general anti-discrimination law. The Draft Act had undergone the usual procedure and been reviewed both by the Government and the relevant Assembly committees. There had been enough time to promptly eliminate any ambiguities or shortcomings. The opportunity to do so existed before the session as well – the deputies could have submitted amendments to the Draft Act.    (more…)

The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights is deeply concerned that Serbia is heading in the wrong direction if hatred and discrimination of persons of different sexual orientation, which are prohibited by the Constitution,  are tolerated and, moreover, supported by the state authorities and public officials.The freedom of expression entails the readiness of citizens and state authorities to hear out views and opinions they disagree with. The Belgrade Sava Centre’s attitude – reflected in its prohibition of the panel discussion by a registered civic association fighting against discrimination – indicates that it shares and supports homophobic prejudices, although it is managing an institution built thanks to the contributions of all citizens with the aim of promoting culture and freedom of speech.  (more…)

The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights calls on all state authorities and the democratic public to react to the criminal attacks on the freedom of the media and the freedom of expression, and on the personal freedom and safety of Svetlana Lukić and other members of the team producing the cult radio show Peščanik (Hourglass). The Peščanik team has in the years behind us managed to oppose those resorting to violence against people who think differently than they do, those endeavouring to impose their own interpretation of national interests and patriotic chastity upon everyone else. It had done so even amidst the hysteria against consistent advocates raising their voices to preserve democratic values, tolerance and human rights. Peščanik would have been unable to fight this worthy battle if it were not above all for the personal bravery of its two authors, Svetlana Lukić and Svetlana Vuković. (more…)

The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights hereby alerts the public and competent state authorities that the apartment of Marko Karadžić, Human and Minority Rights Ministry State Secretary, has been broken into. This act cannot but be interpreted as a warning to Karadžić to stop exercising his duty and advocating the protection of human rights, suppression of discrimination and improvement of the lives of jeopardised citizens of Serbia. The authorities have to conduct a particularly energetic and efficient investigation into the case. Otherwise, doubts will remain that there are forces within the state apparatus who want to prevent state officials from doing their jobs with diligence and courage.