Call to European Institutions for Urgent Reaction Against the Political Persecution of Activists in Serbia

The case of the detained professors and activists from the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG) and the students group STAV is not an isolated incident, but rather one in a series of examples of the abuse of judicial authorities and security services being used to persecute political dissidents and intimidate the protesting public in Serbia. In order to enable the continuation of reforms in the context of Serbia’s accession to the European Union, it is essential to create conditions in society which are based on democratic values and the respect of fundamental human rights and freedoms. This identified issue is, in fact, one of the main obstacles to reform, particularly in negotiation chapters related to Chapter 23, Judiciary and Fundamental Rights (judicial reform, anti-corruption policy, protection of fundamental rights) and Chapter 24, Justice, Freedom, and Security. Meeting political criteria and conditions in these areas cannot be successfully implemented or positively evaluated as long as there is illegal surveillance of activists and journalists, abductions, detentions, physical and psychological attacks on activists, suppression of freedom of expression, and intimidation and targeting in the media.

Iz tog razloga, upućujemo pismo komesarima Evropske komisije Marti Kos, komesarki za proširenje, komesaru za ljudska prava Michael O’Flaherty, komesaru za pravosuđe Didier Reynders, zatim Nj. E. Emanuelu Žiofru (Delegacija EU u Srbiji), izvestiocu EU za Srbiju Toninu Piculi, Evropskom sudu za ljudska prava, Evropskom ombudsmanu i Evropskom parlamentu za ljudska prava za hitne slučajeve za zahtevom da hitno reaguju i izvrše pritisak na vlasti u Srbiji kako bi:

For this reason, we are addressing this letter to European Commission representatives, namely the Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, the Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty, the Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, H.E. Emanuele Giaufret (the EU Delegation to Serbia), the EU Rapporteur for Serbia Tonino Picula, the European Court of Human Rights, the European Ombudsman, and the European Parliament Human Rights Emergency Committee, urging them to take immediate action and put pressure on the Serbian authorities in order to:

• Ensure that the detained activists are allowed to defend themselves from liberty, as their arrest is politically motivated.
• Guarantee all defendants a fair and impartial trial, in accordance with the fundamental principles of the rule of law.
• End the misuse of judicial and security institutions for political retribution, which runs counter to the democratic values that the EU upholds.

You can read the full letter at this link.

Signed organizations:

Organized Group SviĆe
Civic Movement Bravo!
Vojvodina Independent Journalists’ Association
Center for Intercultural Communication (Novi Sad)
Civic Action Pančevo
Center for Regionalism
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
Novi Sad School of Journalism
Citizens’ Association “Erudita”
Polekol
Eko Heroj Association
Zrenjanin Social Forum
Defend the Forests of Fruška Gora
Libergraf
Eko Surdulica
Eko Serbia
Women in Black
Belgrade Centre for Security Policy
Autonomous Women’s Center
Organization OSNA
Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights – YUCOM
European Movement Serbia
plavoizeleno.rs
Partners Serbia
Ecological Uprising
CRTA
Let’s Save the Mountain Rivers of Kraljevo
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
SHARE Foundation
iRevolucija
Battle for Vlasina
Initiative “The Bridge Stays!”
Green-Left Front
Humanitarian Law Center
Guardians of Homolje
Center for Contemporary Politics
Defend the Rivers of Stara Planina
Užice Center for Children’s Rights
Youth Initiative for Human Rights
Association for the Empowerment and Development of Citizens “OsnaŽene”
Movement for Reversal
Women’s Association Peščanik
Association Women for Peace
Association Kulturanova
Group “COME OUT”
Activist Group “Women for Change”
ROZA – Women’s Labor Rights Association
A11 – Initiative for Economic and Social Rights
ASTRA – Anti-Trafficking Action
Regulatory Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment
Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation
Club for Youth Empowerment 018 (KOM 018)
Association Bridge of Solidarity, Novi Sad
Zemunski Zgubidani
Catalyst Foundation
Local Front
ChangeLab
We Won’t Give Up Jadar
Belgrade Centre for Human Rights
KROKODIL Association
Civic Initiatives
BFPE Foundation for a Responsible Society
Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES)
Kreni Promeni Mlada Mitrovica
Fakirs from the South
European Policy Centre (CEP)
CEKOR
InTER
League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina
National Convention on the EU in Serbia
Impuls
Center for Green Politics
Okular
Ludifico
Creative Gathering Organization OKO
Tebrizam
Urban Guerrilla Stara Pazova
Association for Forest Protection, Novi Sad
Army of Mlava
Let’s Protect the Rivers of Prijepolje
Association “Perilo Zabrežje”
Center for Modern Skills
Academy for Women’s Leadership
FemPlatz
EU Suvobora Ridge
Someone Cares for Levač
Extinction Rebellion Serbia
March from the Drina
Free University Novi Sad
PLAVO Theatre – Theatre Laboratory
Initiative for Equality, Innovation and Civic Engagement – IRIDA
Res Publika
Thumbs Up Belgium
Initiative “Defend Tesla,” Pančevo
Movement of Free Citizens
Antifascist Front 23rd October, Novi Sad
Vegan Community
People’s Movement of Serbia
Blockade Vienna
Civic Association “Local Alternative” Vrbas
International Youth Media Network and Youth Media Network
Democracy Center Foundation
Youth Center CK13
White Egret 1165
Erasmus Student Network Serbia
Informal Citizens’ Group “Paris 11:52”

In addition to the listed organizations, the letter is also signed by the families of the arrested and exiled activists.