The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights protests against the public appearances by Mr. Velimir Ilić, Minister in the Government of the Republic of Serbia. Not only do the crassness and vulgarity of his statements give rise to concern. The conduct of Minister Ilić and those cheering him on or not standing up to him are a symptom of the state this society is in and of the frame of mind of a large part of Serbia’s political elite.Ilić’s attacks are predominantly aimed at journalists, NGOs and, of course, women. He threatens to shut down, and unmask the media that do not toe the Government line he interprets and dismissively qualifies noncompliant journalists as lunatics who need to be hospitalised. Every criticism of the state apparatus or condemnation of the attempts to reinstate the regime that had destroyed the citizens of Serbia until 5 October 2000, is declared ‘an attacks on anything with a whiff of Serbia’ and the Government members are elevated to the rank of untouchable and infallible interpreters of the interests of the Serbian people. Media are denied the right to choose their interlocutors, especially if the latter work in an NGO. As soon as someone holding a senior office raises hue and cry at critically oriented media, individuals prone to violence are inevitably there, at the forefront, as is corroborated by the threats of physical assault and even death to journalists who want Serbia’s politics to be transparent and have democratically controlled state agencies. Intimidation of journalists seriously restricts their fundamental right to impart information and opinions and the right of all citizens to hear them.
The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights is of the opinion that the Government of Serbia needs to take a clear stand on the conduct and views of its minister Ilić and his attacks on the freedom of expression. Is he speaking on his own behalf or relaying the Government stands? Is Minister Ilić’s conduct an issue of form or essence to the Serbian Government? Does it disassociate itself only from HOW Minister Ilic expresses himself or from WHAT he is saying as well? The apologies voiced by other ministers in the Government are not convincing. Refusal to personally apologise and show he admits that he had made a mistake is another sign of Minister Ilić’s arrogance and unfounded self-confidence.
One may suspect that Ilić’s outbursts are meant to draw attention from much more important and vital issues, including the attempt to weaken the powers of the Broadcasting Agency Council by amending the Broadcasting Act, postpone the transformation of Radio Television Serbia into a Public Broadcasting System and strip the representatives of Vojvodina of any influence on decisions regarding the sensitive issues of the status of media in a multi-ethnic community such as Vojvodina.
