The Coalition for Free Access to Information supports the decision of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia to re-elect Rodoljub Šabić as the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Information Protection. This step shows respect to the initiative of many civil societies and the expert public. The Coalition believes that it is of the utmost importance to continue with further activities aimed at improving the current system and openness of state institutions, as well as citizens’ rights in the field of free access to information of public importance and personal data protection. (more…)

The Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights and the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights request that that the government of the Republic of Serbia seriously consider the situation in Banja Koviljača, at all levels, so that the rise in racism, xenophobia and intolerance of citizens towards asylum-seekers can be countered. The state is obligated to enact measures to secure the adequate accommodation of asylum-seekers, but also to efficiently investigate all attacks on migrants residing on the territory of Serbia which result in their discrimination. Additionally, we expect that the government enters into dialogue with the citizens of Banja Koviljača, to discuss measures that they intend to take, as well as to actively dedicate themselves to eradicating every form of racism and discrimination. (more…)

The Coalition for the Free Access to Information calls on the Culture and Information Committee of the National Assembly to send a proposal for the appointment of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection as soon as possible. According to Article 30 of the Law on the Free Access to Information of Public Importance, only this committee of the National Assembly has the authority to initiate the election proceedings. The current Commissioner’s mandate is due to expire on the 22nd December 2011. If by this date the entire election procedure is not completed, Serbia will be left without a leader for this important institution. (more…)

With its decision to prohibit the Pride Parade, the state has jeopardised fundamental human rights and demonstrated that it does not have the strength to ensure abidance by the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and guarantee safety to all its citizens. In the view of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, the prohibition, the unlawfulness of which will quite probably be confirmed by both domestic and international courts, is unquestionably a major step backwards and may mark the point after which the state authorities will have become even more insensitive to various forms of discrimination and human rights violations. Like in the previous years, the numerous statements made this year by the state officials demonstrated the lack of resolve and commitment to civic values. Their frequent equal apportionment of blame for last year’s riots to the hooligans and the Pride Parade organisers is not only disgraceful and untrue; it also demonstrates lack of strength to put an end to hate and violence. (more…)

Regulations have prevented a number of Serbia’s citizens from exercising their right to an identification card for quite some time now. Some cannot exercise this right because they do not have a permanent or temporary place of residence, which is one of the prerequisites for obtaining an ID card under the present regulations. Namely, no citizen of the Republic of Serbia may apply for his or her basic personal documents unless s/he is registered as a resident at a specific address. (more…)

The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights condemns the abuse of a Roma boy by members of the police force in a police station in Vršac and calls for the competent institutions, above all, the prosecution and court, to undertake the measures envisaged by law and adequately punish the perpetrators of this criminal act. The Belgrade Centre reiterates that the state is not doing enough to prevent and punish torture and other methods of abuse. The sentences envisaged by the Criminal Code for these acts are inappropriately lenient, as is the sentencing policy of courts. Additionally, proceedings against perpetrators that encompass an element of abuse are rare and inefficient, so that perpetrators are most often unpunished. (more…)