Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Submitted 29 June 2017
SubmissionbyCIVICUS:WorldAllianceforCitizenParticipation,NGOinGeneralConsultativeStatuswithECOSOC
And
HumanRightsHouseBelgrade(Lawyer’sCommitteeforHumanRights,BelgradeCenterforHumanRights,CivicInitiatives,HelsinkiCommitteeforHumanRightsandPolicyCenter)andHumanRightsHouseFoundation
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Ms Ine Van Severen, Email: [email protected]
Ms Renate Bloem, Email: [email protected]
Tel: +41 22 733 3435 Web: www.civicus.org
Lawyer’s Committee for Human Rights
(HRH) Mr Milan Antonijevic, Email: [email protected]
Ms Katarina Golubovic, Email: [email protected] Tel: + 381 11334 4235 Web: www.HRH.org.rs
Republic of Serbia
Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review
29th Session of the UPR Working Group
2
1. (A) Introduction
1.1 CIVICUSisaglobalallianceofcivilsocietyorganisationsandactivistsdedicatedtostrengtheningcitizenactionandcivilsocietyaroundtheworld.Foundedin1993,we proudly promote marginalised voices, especially from the Global South, andhavemembersinmorethan180countriesthroughouttheworld.
1.2 TheHumanRightsHouseBelgrade(HRH)isanetworkof5organisationsworking
onadvancinghumanrights inSerbia.The followingorganisationsarepartof thenetwork:BelgradeCentre forHumanRights,Civic Initiatives,HelsinkiCommitteeforHumanRightsinSerbia,LawyersCommitteeforHumanRights.
1.3 In this document, CIVICUS and HRH examine the Government of Serbia’s
compliancewithitsinternationalhumanrightsobligationstocreateandmaintainasafeandenablingenvironmentforcivilsociety.Specifically,weanalyzeSerbia’sfulfillment of the rights to freedomof association, assembly, and expression andunwarranted restrictions on human rights defenders (HRDs) since its previousUPRexaminationinJanuary2013.Tothisend,weassessSerbia’simplementationofrecommendationsreceivedduringthe2ndUPRcyclerelatingtotheseissuesandprovideanumberofspecific,action-orientatedfollow-uprecommendationstotheStateunderReview.
1.4 Duringthe2ndUPRcycle,theGovernmentofSerbiareceived20recommendations
relating to civic space.Of these recommendations, 18were acceptedand2werenoted.Anevaluationofarangeof legalsourcesandhumanrightsdocumentationaddressed in subsequent sections of this submission demonstrate that theGovernmentofSerbiahaspartiallyimplementedninerecommendations,notfullyimplemented nine recommendations and implemented one recommendationrelatingtocivilsocietyspace.TheCIVICUSMonitorassessesSerbia’scivicspaceasnarrowed.1
1.5 CIVICUSandHRHaredeeplyconcernedbyA:Intimidation,attacksandharassment
ofhumanrightsdefendersandjournalistswhoreportonsensitiveissues,suchastransitionaljustice,corruptionorgovernmentaccountability.
1.6 CIVICUSandHRHarefurtheralarmedbyB:thevilificationofandsmearcampaigns
against human right defenders, CSOs, and independentmedia outlets,which hasunderminedtheirwork.
1Seehttps://monitor.civicus.org/country/serbia/,accessedon12June2017.
3
• In Section 2, CIVICUS and HRH examine Serbia’s implementation of UPRrecommendations and compliance with international human rights standardsconcerningfreedomofassociation.
• In Section 3, CIVICUS and HRH examine Serbia’s implementation of UPRrecommendations and compliance with international human rights standardsrelated to the protection of human rights defenders, civil society activists andjournalists.
• In Section 4, CIVICUS and HRH examine Serbia’s implementation of UPRrecommendations and compliance with international human rights standardsconcerning to freedomofexpression, independenceof themediaandaccess toinformation.
• In Section 5, CIVICUS and HRH examine Serbia’s implementation of UPRrecommendations and compliance with international human rights standardsrelatedtofreedomofassembly.
• InSection6,CIVICUSandHRHmakeanumberofrecommendationstoaddresstheconcernslisted.
2. (B) Freedom of association
2.1 During Serbia’s examination under the 2nd UPR cycle, the government receivedfour recommendations on the right to freedom of association and creating anenabling environment for civil society organizations (CSOs). Among otherrecommendations, thegovernmentcommitted toensuring that “LGBTpersons inSerbiacanexercisetheirhumanrightsfreelyandinsecurityincludingfundamentalrights such as the freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly andassociation”and“respondeffectivelytodiscriminationandviolenceagainstLGBTpersons and ensure their safety duringpublic events such as theBelgradePrideParade”.ThesefourrecommendationswereacceptedbytheGovernmentofSerbia.Of the four recommendations on freedom of association, the government haspartially implemented three recommendations, and implemented onerecommendation.
2.2 Article55ofthe2006Constitutionguaranteestherighttofreedomofassociation.
Moreover, article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights(ICCPR),towhichtheRepublicofSerbiaisastateparty,alsoguaranteesfreedomofassociation.However,despite thesecommitments,CSOsandactivists inSerbiacontinuetobesubjecttosmearcampaignsandattacks.
2.3 The 2009 Law on Associations 2 and the 2010 Law on Endowments and
Foundations3regulate the formation and operation of CSOs in Serbia, presenting
2OfficialGazetteofRS,No.51/093OfficialGazetteofRS,No.88/10
4
nolegalbarrierstothefreedomofassociation.However,aworkinggroupformedby Government prepared a draft Civil Code in 2016 which included a morerestrictive framework for associations, foundations and endowments. Civicinitiatives and more than 200 CSOs made amendmentsand submitted it to theMinistryofJusticeandtheworkinggroupin2016.
2.4 Although there are currently no legal barriers to freedom of association, civil
society organisations – in particular CSOs with a focus on human rights - aresometimes subject to vilification and smear campaigns in the media. SmearcampaignsoftentargetCSOswhoreceiveforeignsupportandtheseCSOsareoftenlabelledas‘foreignmercenaries’.Forexample,inNovember2016,pro-governmentnewspaperspublishedarticlesaccusingcertainCSOsofbeing‘foreignmercenaries’financed to spread lies about the Srebrenica genocide and to undermine theGovernmentofSerbia.4
2.5 Thewomen’speaceorganisation,Women inBlack,hasexperienceda substantial
increaseinattacksafterthepolicespokespersonfortheAnti-TerrorUnit,RadomirPocuca,publishedapostonFacebookon28March2014urginghooliganstouniteand opposeWomen in Black. The public callwasmade in response to a protestorganised by Women in Black in Belgrade to commemorate the victims of theSerbianmilitarycampaignagainstKosovoAlbanians.5Pocucawas lateracquittedof charges of endangering members ofWomen in Black by the Higher Court ofBelgrade.6
2.6 On21 January 2016, theHumanRightsHouse,which houses a network of CSOs
working on advancing human rights in Serbia, in Belgrade was vandalised byunidentifiedperpetrators.7Although thepoliceconductedan investigationat thesite,therewasnofollow-upandnosuspectswereidentified.
4SeeforexampleInformer(16November2017).VELIKOISTRAŽIVANJEINFORMERA,OTKRIVAMOSTRANEPLAĆENIKE:ZažutupatkuilažioSrebreniciSADiEUdale3.626.244evra!Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.informer.rs/vesti/politika/102807/VELIKO-ISTRAZIVANJE-INFORMERA-OTKRIVAMO-STRANE-PLACENIKE-zutu-patku-lazi-Srebrenici-SAD-dale-evra.5BalkanInsight(20July2016).SerbianPoliceman‘InspiredThreats’toPeaceWomen.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/threats-multiplied-after-police-spokespersons-post-women-in-black-testified-07-19-20166BalkanInsight(14December2016).SerbianEx-PolicemanAcquittedofThreateningPeaceWomen.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbian-ex-policeman-acquitted-of-threatening-peace-women-12-14-20167TheOsloTimes(26January2016).HumanRightsHouseattackedinSerbia.Accessedon28June2017via:http://theoslotimes.com/article/human-rights-house-attacked-in-serbia;HumanRightsHouseNetwork(26January2016).HumanRightsHouseBelgradePremisesAttacked.Accessedvia:http://humanrightshouse.org/Articles/21410.html
5
3. (C) Harassment, intimidation and attacks against human rights defenders, civil society activists and journalists
3.1 Under Serbia’s previous UPR examination, the government received five
recommendations on the protection of human rights defenders, journalists andcivil society representatives. Of the recommendations received, three wereacceptedandtwowerenoted.Thegovernmentmadecommitmentsto“denouncemore forcefullyallverbalandphysicalattacksonhumanrightdefenders”and to“strengthen the protection of journalists, media personnel and human rightdefenders against the attacks and prosecute those responsible for such kind ofattempts”. However, as examined in this section, the government has failed toeffectively operationalise these recommendations. None of the fiverecommendationsonprotectionofHRDswereimplemented.
3.2 Article12of theUNDeclarationonHumanRightsDefendersmandates states totake necessary measures to ensure protection of human rights defenders. TheICCPR further guarantees the freedoms of expression, association and assembly.However,inspiteoftheseprotections,thegovernmentofSerbiahasfailedtotakeadequate measures to safeguard these rights. Intimidation, attacks andharassment of human rights defenders and journalists who report on sensitiveissues, including LGBTI rights, transitional justice, corruption or governmentaccountability, continue to be persecuted and subjected to unwarrantedrestrictions.
3.3 AmongitsconcludingobservationsafterSerbia’sthirdreviewin2017,TheHuman
RightsCommitteestatedin2017thatitwas“concernedaboutallegationsofpublicofficialspubliclyvilifyingandintimidatingmediaworkersandaboutthenarrowingspacefordebate,inparticularthroughtheprosecutionofjournalistsandmembersof civil society for expressing their opinions”. It recommended that Serbia “takeimmediatestepstoprovideeffectiveprotectiontomediaworkersfromallformsofintimidation and ensure that all cases are duly investigated and perpetrators ofthoseactsofintimidationprosecutedandappropriatelysanctioned”8.
3.4 On17 January2017,9membersof theYouth Initiative forHumanRights(YIHR)
and theMy Initiative Activists’ Movement were physically attacked by SNS (therulingSerbianProgressiveParty)supportersduringapublicdebateintheCulturalCenter of the Beška municipality in Vojvodina. The activists were protestingagainstVeselinŠljivančanin, a speakerduring thedebatewho isa convictedwarcriminal.Twoactivistssufferedsevereinjuries,andanactivist’scarwasdamaged.
8UnitedNationsHumanRightsCommittee(10April2017).ConcludingobservationsonthethirdperiodicreportofSerbia.CCPR/C/SRB/CO/3
6
The police did not conduct any investigation into the violence.9 The ruling SNSparty issued apress statement calling theprotesters ‘fascist’ and ‘hooligans’ andadvocated for their arrest.10Members of YIHR were subsequently subject tointimidation, attacks, and a smear campaign.11The tabloid Informer, consideredclosetotherulingSNSparty,accusedthedirectorofYIHR,AnitaMitic,ofreceivingmorethanonemillioneurosto‘createchaosinSerbia’.12
3.5 Journalists in Serbia also continue to be subjected to harassment, intimidation,
threats and physical attacks, forcing some to resort to self-censorship to avoidreprisals.AccordingtotheIndependentJournalists’AssociationofSerbia(NUNS),there were at least 231 assaults (physical attacks, attacks on the property ofjournalists,threats,pressureandverbalattacks)onjournalistssince2013,withatleast42recordedphysicalattacks.1369journalistswereassaultedin2016,andatleast 45were attacked in the first sixmonths of 2017. Investigations into theseincidentsarerareanddonotleadtoacriminalconvictionoftheperpetrators.HighlevelsofimpunityhavehadachillingeffectonmediafreedomsinSerbia.14
3.6 During the inauguration of President Aleksandar Vučić, on 31 May 2017,
journalists working for media outlets Danas, Insajder, VICE and Radio Belgradeweresubjecttoverbalandphysicalattacksbygovernmentsupportersandprivatesecurityguardshiredby therulingparty.15VladimirDjukanovicamemberof therulingparty inparliament laterdefendedtheattackersonTwitter,statingthat, ‘I
9YouthInitiativeforHumanRights(18January2017).YIHRactivistsbeatenupattheeventoftheSerbianProgressiveParty.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.yihr.rs/en/yihr-activists-beaten-up-at-the-event-of-the-serbian-progressive-party/;HumanitarianLawCenter(18January2017).AttackonYouthInitiativeforHumanRightsactivistscondemned.Accessedon28June2017viahttp://www.hlc-rdc.org/?p=33245&lang=de10SrpskaNaprednaStranka(17January2017).ŠOKIRANISMOFAŠISTIČKIMISPADIMAAKTIVISTA''INICIJATIVЕMLADIH'.Accessedon28June2017via:https://www.sns.org.rs/lat/novosti/saopstenja/sokirani-smo-fasistickim-ispadima-aktivista-inicijative-mladih11BalkanInsight(1February2017).SerbianYouthInitiativeChiefBlamesStateforAttack.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/mitic-we-are-not-scared-because-of-threats-01-31-201712Informer(31January2017).SVINJARIJA!EVOKOLIKOJEPARADOBILAANITAMITIĆ:Strancijojdali1.004.237evradapraviHAOSŠIROMSRBIJE!Accessedon28June2017viahttp://informer.rs/vesti/politika/116496/SVINJARIJA-EVO-KOLIKO-PARA-DOBILA-ANITA-MITIC-Stranci-joj-dali-evra-pravi-HAOS-SIROM-SRBIJE13Numberson28June2017.SeewebsiteofNUNS:http://www.bazenuns.rs/srpski/napadi-na-novinare14EuropeanCommission(10November2015).CommissionStaffWorkingDocument.Serbia2015Report,p.17-18.Accessedon28June2017via:https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/pdf/key_documents/2015/20151110_report_serbia.pdf15RegionalPlatformforAdvocatingMediaFreedomsandJournalists’Safety(02June2017).InaugurationDayAttacksAlarmSerbianJournalists.Accessedon28June2017viahttp://safejournalists.net/inauguration-day-attacks-alarm-serbian-journalists/;BalkanInsight(31May2017).ScufflesEruptasSerbia’sPresidentisSwornIn.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/vucic-swearing-in-ceremony-marked-by-incidents-05-31-2017
7
personally stand up in the party for awarding and commending the guys whopreventedprovocateursfromcausingincidentsattherally’.16
3.7 TV JournalistandpresenterTatjanaVojtehovski receivedhandwritten threatson
14 April 2017. Some of the threats include statements like ‘Ustasha's [CroatianWWII fascist unit] bastards I will shoot behind the first corner!’.17These threatsfollowed online threats against the leadership of the Independent Journalists’Association of Serbia (NUNS) and the Independent Journalists’ Association ofVojvodina, after the publication in pro-government tabloids of false informationthat both groups had organised post-election student protests in Novi Sad.18Anonymous death threats were also sent to Nedim Sejdinović, President of theIndependent Journalists' Association of Vojvodina (NDNV), Dinko Gruhonjic,programme editor at NDNV and Slobodan Georgijev, journalist for the BalkanInvestigativeReportingNetwork(BIRN),19promptingastatementdenouncingthethreatsbytheOrganisationforSecurityandCooperationinEurope(OSCE)on16September2016.20
3.8 InDecember2016,anagreementoncooperationandmeasurestoraisingthelevel
of security for journalists was signed between the Prosecutor’s office, the StateSecretaryoftheMinistryofInternalAffairsandjournalists’andmediaassociations,aimedatbettercoordinationandtoinvestigateattacksagainstjournalists.21
3.9 The Government of Serbia has adopted a strategy (2014-2018) to combat
discriminationagainstLGBTIpeople,followedbytheadoptionofaNationalActionPlan.Although thepolicy is considered as a step in the right direction, it suffersfrompoorimplementation.
4. (D) Freedom of expression, independence of the media and access to information 16BalkanInsight(14June2017).SerbianMP’sDefendAttacksonReportersatVucicSwearing-InCeremony.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbian-officials-defend-thugs-from-the-vucic-s-sworn-in-ceremony-06-14-201717BalkanInsight(10April2017).TheBalkansToday:10thto14thApril2017.Accessedon28June2017via:http://live.balkaninsight.com/Event/The_Balkans_Today_3rd_-_7th_April_2017_2/83106508818RegionalPlatformforAdvocatingMediaFreedomsandJournalists’Safety(6April2017).IJASandIJAV:DeaththreatstoIJAVleadership.Accessedon28June2017via:http://safejournalists.net/ijas-ijav-death-threats-ijav-leadership/19N1(12September2016).NUNS:OtkritikopretismrćuGeorgievuiSejdinoviću.Accessedon28June2017via:http://rs.n1info.com/a192719/Vesti/Vesti/NUNS-Otkriti-ko-preti-smrcu-Georgijevu-i-Sejdinovicu.html20OrganizationforSecurityandCo-operationinEurope(16September2016).DeaththreatsagainstjournalistsinSerbiamustbeinvestigatedandtheirsafetyensured,saysOSCERepresentative.Pressstatement.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.osce.org/fom/26489621N1(26December2016).MUP,Tužilaštvoiudruženjazavećubezbednostnovinara.Accessedon28June2017via:http://rs.n1info.com/a217160/Vesti/Vesti/MUP-Tuzilastvo-i-udruzenja-za-vecu-bezbednost-novinara.html
8
4.1 Under the 2nd UPR cycle, the Government of Serbia received twelverecommendationsrelatingtofreedomofexpressionandaccesstoinformation.Ofthe recommendations received, eleven were accepted and one was noted. Forexample the government pledged to “amend and where necessary repeal alllegislationwhich restricts theabilityof journalists to carryout theirwork freelyand which impacts on the independence of the media“ and “ensure that LGBTpeoplecanexpressthemselvesfreelyforexampleintheBelgradePridein2013“.However,asdiscussedbelow, thegovernmentdidnot takeeffectivemeasures toimplementtheserecommendations.Ofthetwelverecommendationspertainingtothese issues, the government has implemented one recommendation, partiallyimplementedsix,andhasnotfullyimplementedfiverecommendations.
4.2 Article19oftheICCPRguaranteestherighttofreedomofexpressionandopinion.
Article46oftheSerbianConstitutionof2006alsoguaranteestherighttofreedomofexpression,whilearticle50 focuseson the freedomof themedia.However, inpractice independent journalists andmedia outletswho question state policiescontinuetofaceanumberofarbitraryrestrictionsandpersecution.In2014,asetof newmedia lawswas approved, including the Law on Public Information andMedia22,LawonElectronicMedia23andtheLawonPublicMediaServices24,whichprohibit monopolisation of media ownership, and mandates media plurality. Inpractice, however, the process of privatisation of media has led to increasingconcentrationofownershipoflocalmedia.25
4.3 ThistrendhasbeenhighlightedbytheHumanRightsCommitteewhichsaidthatit
noted“theprivatisationofthemedia,[andremained]concernedaboutthelackoftransparency ofmedia ownership and the ongoing public influence exercised onsomemedia”. ItrecommendedthatSerbia“takestepstoensurethetransparencyofmedia ownership and that privatemedia outlets are free and independent, inconformitywiththeCommittee’sgeneralcommentNo.34(2011)onthefreedomsofopinionandexpression”26.
4.4 Investigative journalists and independentmediaalso continue tobe subjected to
smear campaigns and growing levels of vilification. Some are stigmatised andlabelled‘enemiesofthestate’or‘foreignagents’bygovernmentofficialsandnon-stateactors.AsmearcampaignagainsttheBalkanInvestigativeReportingNetwork(BIRN), the Center for Investigative Journalism (CINS) and the Corruption
22OfficialGazetteofSerbia,nº83/2014,58/2015and12/201623OfficialGazetteofSerbia,nº83/2014and6/201624OfficialGazetteofSerbia,nº83/2014,103/2015and108/201625NUNS(26August2015).JedančovekkupujevećinumedijauSrbiji.Accessedon28June2017viahttp://www.nuns.rs/reforma-javnog-informisanja/Privatizacija-medija/24601/jedan-covek-kupuje-vecinu-medija-u-srbiji.html26UnitedNationsHumanRightsCommittee(10April2017).ConcludingobservationsonthethirdperiodicreportofSerbia.CCPR/C/SRB/CO/3
9
Reporting Network (KRIK) by government officials and pro-government mediastartedin2014andculminatedinJanuary2015.27
4.5 Forexample,on1November2016, theMinisterofLabour,Employment,Veteranand Social Affairs, Mr. Aleksandar Vulin stated in the television programme“Upitnik” (‘Questionnaire’) on the Public Broadcasting Service, that journalistsSlobodanGeorgievandDušanMašićwereendangeringthesafetyofthethenPrimeMinister Aleksandar Vučić. 28 This was preceded and followed by a smearcampaigninthepro-governmentmediaoutlets,includingnewspaperInformerandPinkTV.Forinstance,on5November2016,pro-governmentnewspaperInformerpublishedanarticleentitled,"ForeignersgiveMillionsforFalseScandalsinSerbia"claimingthatinvestigativejournalismoutletssuchasBIRN,KIRKandCINS,besidesNGOs,receivesignificantamountsofforeignfunding.29
4.6 The increasingly hostile environment for journalists has led to growing levels of
self-censorship among the media. In a statement on 9 February 2017, RadioTelevision of Vojvodina admitted to regularly censoring journalists. Thebroadcasterhighlightedseveralcasesinwhichtheywereforcedtoremovecontentafterreceiving‘ordersfromabove’.30
4.7 Journalist Stefan Cvetković was sentenced to two years in and three months in
prison and a fine of 17,000 euros on the charge of unauthorised publication,plagiarismanddefamationon14March2017.31Threegovernmentofficialsoftheruling party filed a complaint against Cvetković, at a time when he wasinvestigatingsaidofficialsformisuseoffundsinthemunicipalityofVršac.
4.8 On6January2017,weeklypoliticalmagazineNINwasgivenafineof2,500Euros
for damaging the reputation and honour of the Minister of Interior, NebojšaStefanović.NINhad referred to theMinister as the "phantomof Savamala" in an
27BalkanInvestigativeReportingNetwork.BIRNunderFire.Accessedon28June2017viahttp://birn.eu.com/birn-under-fire/;EuropeanFederationofJournalists(13November2017).Serbiamustavoidcreatinghostileenvironmentforinvestigativejournalists#BIRNunderFire.Accessedon28June2017viahttp://europeanjournalists.org/blog/2015/11/13/serbia-must-avoid-creating-hostile-environment-for-investigative-journalists-birnunderfire/28NUNS(02November2016).NUNS:OpasneizjaveministraVulina.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.nuns.rs/info/statements/29350/nuns-opasne-izjave-ministra-vulina.html29Informer(06November2016).TAJNIDOSIJE,STRANCIDAJUMILIONEZALAŽNEAFERE!Otkrivamoko,kakoikolikoplaćamedijeiNVOuSrbiji!Accessedon28Junevia:http://www.informer.rs/vesti/politika/101402/TAJNI-DOSIJE-STRANCI-DAJU-MILIONE-LAZNE-AFERE-Otkrivamo-kako-koliko-placa-medije-NVO-Srbiji30Cenzolovka(9February2017).CenzuranasajtuRTV.Accessedon28June2017via:https://www.cenzolovka.rs/pritisci-i-napadi/cenzura-na-sajtu-rtv/31CouncilofEurope(30March2017).JournalistStefanCvetkovicSentencedtoJailforUnauthorisedPublication.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.coe.int/en/web/media-freedom/all-alerts/-/soj/alert/24514980;NUNS(14March2017).NUNSiNDNV:SkandaloznesudskepresudeprotivnovinaraCvetkovića.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.nuns.rs/info/statements/30375/nuns-i-ndnv-skandalozne-sudske-presude-protiv-novinara-cvetkovica.html
10
opinionpiece.32ThefirstinstancedecisionwasoverturnedbytheCourtofAppealinBelgrade.
4.9 Freedomof information isguaranteed inarticle51of theSerbianConstitutionof2006.TheLawonFreeAccess toPublic Informationhasbeen inoperationsince2004.However,theLawisnotfullyinlinewithEuropeanstandardsandshouldbefurtherstrengthenedtoensureenforcementofthedecisionsoftheCommissionerfor Free Access to Public Information of Public Importance, who oversees theimplementation of the law, including in caseswhere journalists and individual’srequests relate to corruption or where high ranked government officials areimplicated.33
5. (E) Freedom of peaceful assembly
5.1 During Serbia’s examination under the 2nd UPR cycle, the government received
nine recommendations on the right to freedom of assembly, all of which wereaccepted.Amongotherrecommendations, thegovernmentcommittedto“takeallappropriatemeasurestoprotecttherighttoassemblyandtoensureinvestigationandprosecutionofpersonsviolatingcivilandpoliticalrightsasguaranteedbytheSerbianConstitution” and to “to take concrete steps toprotect itsLGBTI citizensandtheirfreedomofassemblyandexpression”.However,asevidencedbelow,thegovernment has failed to adequately realizemanyof these recommendations.Ofthe recommendations on freedom of assembly, the government has partiallyimplemented five, implemented one, and has not fully implemented threerecommendations.
5.2 Article21oftheICCPRguaranteesthefreedomofpeacefulassembly.Inaddition,article 54 of the 2006Constitution guarantees the right to freedomof assembly.However,inpracticeandpolicythisrightisnotstillfullyrespectedinSerbia.
5.3 The Constitutional Court of Serbia declared the 1992 Law on Public Assembly
unconstitutionalinApril2015,andgavetheGovernmentaperiodofsixmonthstodevelopanew law in linewith the2006Constitution.TheParliamentadoptedarevisedLawonPublicAssembly34on5February2016,leavingthevastmajorityofprevious version gaps and deficits unchanged. Restrictions on the place ofassemblies were not removed from Article 6, and the law outlines a range ofjustifications tobananassemblyunderArticle8.Additionally, theLawprohibits
32RegionalPlatformforAdvocatingMediaFreedomsandJournalists’Safety(6January2017).Serbia:Chillingeffectonmediafreedombyverdictagainstjournalistandeditor.Accessedon28June2017via:http://safejournalists.net/serbia-chilling-effect-media-freedom-verdict-journalist-editor/33EuropeanCommission(9November2016).CommissionStaffWorkingDocument.Serbia2016Report,p.12Accessedon28June2017via:https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/sites/near/files/pdf/key_documents/2016/20161109_report_serbia.pdf34OfficialGazetteofSerbia,nº6/2016
11
publicassembliesincaseswhenitcouldleadtoviolence,demolitionofpropertyor other formsof public disorder, or in other caseswhen the assembly is not inaccordance with the relevant law. This was echoed by the Human RightsCommittee,whichstatedthatitwas“concernedaboutaspectsoftheapplicationofthe Public Assembly Act of 26 January 2016 that might hinder, not facilitate,protection of the right to freedom of assembly”, and recommended that Serbia“review the application of the Public Assembly Act of 26 January 2016 so as toensureitscompatibilitywiththeCovenant[ICCPR]”35.
5.4 Although the2016LawonPublicAssembliesallows forspontaneousassemblies,security forces prevented activists of the Let’s Not DrownBelgrademovement36fromprotestingoutsidetheofficeoftheMayorofBelgradeon7March2017.37
5.5 AnitaMitićwaschargedwithamisdemeanourforbreakingthePublicGatherings
Law during a public commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenicagenocide, on 10 July 2015. The planned event, #sedamhiljada, aimed atcommemorating the20th anniversaryof theSrebrenica genocide,wasbannedbythethenMinisteroftheInterior,citingsecurityrisks.38Mitićandothersdefiedtheban the evening before the ban on 10 July 2015.39Mitić was charged under the1992 Law on Public Assembly which at that time had been annulled by theConstitutionalCourt.ThefirsthearingintheMisdemeanourCourt40tookplaceon3February2016andthecaseisstillpending.
5.6 TheBelgradePrideParadewasbanneduntil2014,citingsecurityreasons.In2014,
2015and2016thePrideParadetookplace,albeitunderheavypolicepresence.Inaddition,due to the security concerns, Serbian followersof theChinese religiousgroupFalunGongwereprevented fromholding apublic assembly in June2016,duringthevisitofChinesePresidentXiJinping. Theconstitutionalappealagainstthebanisstillpending.41
35“ConcludingobservationsonthethirdperiodicreportofSerbia”,UnitedNationsHumanRightsCommittee,10April2017,CCPR/C/SRB/CO/336TheLet’snotDrownBelgradeMovementorNedavimoBeogradisamovementsettoopposethecontroversialBelgradeWaterfrontProject.37N1(07March2017).Kakoprijavljenskupkojinijezabranjendabudeonemogućen?Accessedon28June2017via:http://rs.n1info.com/a233179/Vesti/Vesti/Kako-prijavljen-skup-koji-nije-zabranjen-da-bude-onemogucen.htm38BalkanInsight(10July2015).BelgradeBansRalliesonSrebrenicaAnniversary.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbian-police-banned-all-saturday-rallies39BalkanInsight(29January2016).Interview:SerbianActivistFacesCourtforCommemoratingSrebrenica.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbian-activist-faces-trial-for-commemorating-srebrenica-01-28-201640YouthInitiativeforHumanRights(3February2016).Itwasn’ther,itwasallofus!Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.yihr.rs/en/it-wasnt-her-it-was-all-of-us/41BalkanInsight(17June2016).SerbiaTightensSecurityaheadofChineseVisit.Accessedon28June2017via:http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbia-tightens-security-measures-ahead-of-chinese-president-arrival-06-16-2016
12
6. (F) Recommendations to the Government of Serbia
CIVICUSandHRHcallontheGovernmentofSerbiatocreateandmaintain,inlaw and in practice, an enabling environment for civil society, in accordancewith therightsenshrined in the ICCPR, theUNDeclarationonHumanRightsDefendersandHumanRightsCouncilresolutions22/6,27/5and27/31.At a minimum, the following conditions should be guaranteed: freedom ofassociation,freedomofexpression,freedomofpeacefulassembly,therighttooperate free from unwarranted state interference, the right to communicateand cooperate, the right to seek and secure funding and the state’s duty toprotect.Inlightofthis,thefollowingspecificrecommendationsaremade:
6.1 Regardingfreedomofassociation
• Take measures to foster a safe, respectful, enabling environment for civilsociety, including through removing legal and policy measures, whichunwarrantedlylimittherighttoassociation.
• Promote ameaningful political dialogue that allows and embraces diverging
views, including those of human rights defenders, CSOs, journalists, politicalactivistsandothers.
6.2 Regardingtheprotectionofhumanrightsdefenders
• Civil society members, journalists and human rights defenders should beprovided a safe and secure environment to carry out their work. Conductimpartial, thorough and effective investigations into all cases of attacks,harassment, and intimidation against them and bring perpetrators of suchoffensestojustice.
• Ensure that human rights defenders are able to carry out their legitimateactivities without fear or undue hindrance, obstruction or legal, media oradministrativeharassment.
13
• Seniorgovernmentofficialsshouldpubliclycondemn instancesofharassmentand intimidation of civil society activists and journalists and the governmentshouldpreventsmearcampaignsandvilificationofcivilsocietyactivists.
6.3 Regardingfreedomofexpression, independenceofthemediaandaccessto
information
• Ensure that freedom of expression andmedia freedoms are respected by all,bringingnationallegislationintolinewithinternationalstandards.
• Ensure that journalists and writers may work freely and without fear of
retribution for expressing critical opinions or covering topics that theGovernmentmayfindsensitive.
• Takeadequatestepstoadoptaframeworkfortheprotectionofjournalistsfrom
persecution,intimidationandharassment.
• Enhancetheimplementationofthelawonaccesstoinformationinordertofullypromote the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and freedom ofopinion
• Organiseinclusiveconsultationswithjournalistsandmediainordertoresolve
disputesthatexistconcerningmediafreedoms.
• Ensurethatallcasesofthreats,intimidationsandattacksagainstjournalistsarethoroughlyinvestigated,andperpetratorsbroughttojustice.
6.4 Regardingfreedomofassembly
• The2016PublicAssembliesLawshouldbeamendedinordertofullyguarantee
the right to freedom of assembly, in particular restrictions on the place ofassemblies,justificationsforbanningandprohibitingassemblies
• Recourse for judicial review and effective remedy should be provided
includingcompensation incasesofunlawfuldenialof therightto freedomofassemblybystateauthorities.
6.5 RegardingaccesstoUNSpecialProceduresmandateholders
14
• TheGovernmentshouldextendastandinginvitationtoallUNSpecialProcedure
mandateholdersandprioritizeofficialvisitswiththe:1)SpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsdefenders;2)SpecialRapporteuronthepromotionand protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; 3) SpecialRapporteurontherights tofreedomofpeacefulassemblyandofassociation;4)Special Rapporteuron the Independence ofJudgesandLawyers; 6) SpecialRapporteurontherightstoprivacyand;
6.6RegardingStateengagementwithcivilsociety
• Implementtransparentandinclusivemechanismsofpublicconsultationswithcivil society organizations on all issues mentioned above and enable moreeffectiveinvolvementofcivilsocietyinthepreparationoflawandpolicy.
• Include civil society organizations in the UPR process before finalizing andsubmittingthenationalreport.
• Systematically consultwith civil society andNGOs on the implementation ofUPR including by holding periodical comprehensive consultations with adiverserangeofcivilsocietysectors.
• IncorporatetheresultsofthisUPRintoitsactionplansforthepromotionand
protectionofallhumanrights,takingintoaccounttheproposalsofcivilsocietyandpresentamidtermevaluationreporttotheHumanRightsCouncilontheimplementationoftherecommendationsofthissession.
