On Saturday, October 5th, 2024, we mark 12 years since the passing of Vojin Dimitrijević (1932–2012), a distinguished scholar, prominent human rights and democracy advocate, and the founder and long-time director of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights.
The social significance and impact of Vojin Dimitrijević’s work extended far beyond his profession. His contributions were deeply felt within civil society, especially among those who offered the most consistent and active resistance to the authoritarianism and nationalism that took root in Serbian politics in the late 1980s.
Vojin Dimitrijević was a professor of international law and international relations, Vice President of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, a member of the Institute of International Law (Institut de Droit International), the Venice Commission for Democracy through Law, an ad hoc judge of the International Court of Justice, and a member of both the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the International Commission of Jurists. He was a full professor at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Law until 1998, when his employment was terminated due to his opposition to the then-new University Law. He continued his academic career at the Faculty of Law and Faculty of Political Sciences at Union University in Belgrade. He was awarded honorary doctorates from McGill University in Montreal and the University of Kent in Canterbury, and was a recipient of the French Legion of Honour. He also served on the presidency of the Civic Alliance of Serbia.
From its founding in 1995 until October 5th, 2012, Vojin Dimitrijević was the director of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, with the mission of promoting respect for human rights and democracy. As an intellectual and public figure, he consistently and passionately advocated for democratic values, civil society, critical thinking, and citizen participation in decision-making processes.
Vojin Dimitrijević authored or co-authored a vast number of textbooks, books, and numerous articles. His works Terrorism, Tyranny, Madness Descending, and International Human Rights Law were reprinted multiple times. On the anniversary of his passing, we are reminded of his words from the book Tyranny – An Essay on Human Rights and State Terrorism, which remain as relevant today as they were in 1984 when they were written: “The fight against tyranny must continue to be carried out by courageous and dignified individuals within every community.”
In the public life of Serbia, there are fewer and fewer figures like Professor Vojin Dimitrijević. His voice of reason and tolerance was a beacon for all who wanted our country to be better. Today, especially, as we witness the erosion of human rights in the name of heightened security and the state’s expanding powers under the guise of fighting terrorism and other global threats, his legacy remains profoundly significant.
