EuropeanAsylumSupportOﬃ
EuropeanAsylumSupportOﬃ
ce
ce
BZ-04-17-234-EN-C
BZ-06-16-2343-EN-C

EASO Country of
OriginInformation
ReportRepublic of Serbia
Country Focus

ISBN 978-92-9494-366-8
978-92-9494-285-2

NovemberNovember2016
2016

SUPPORTSUPPORT IS
IS OUROUR MISSIONMISSIONHOW
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EuropeanAsylumSupportOffi
ce

EASO Country of
OriginInformation
ReportRepublicofSerbia
CountryFocus

November 2016SUPPORT IS OUR MISSION

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BZ-04-17-234-EN-N© European Asylum Support Office, 2017
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which may be made of the information contained herein.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—3

Acknowledgments
EASOwouldliketoacknowledgethefollowingdepartmentsasreviewersofthisreport,whichwasdraftedbyEASO:
Germany,FederalOfficeforMigrationandRefugees(BAMF);
Ireland,LegalAidBoard,Research&InformationUnit.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—5Contents
Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
Glossary and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................. 9
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 11
Methodology....................................................................................................................................................... 11
Map...................................................................................................................................................................... 12
1.

State structure ........................................................................................................................................... 13
1.1. Constitution................................................................................................................................................13
1.2. Executivebranch........................................................................................................................................13
1.2.1.President........................................................................................................................................... 14
1.2.2.Government..................................................................................................................................... 14
1.3. Legislativebranch:NationalAssembly......................................................................................................15
1.4. Administration............................................................................................................................................15

2.

Socio-political landscape ........................................................................................................................... 16
2.1. Politicalparties........................................................................................................................................... 16
2.2. Elections..................................................................................................................................................... 18
2.2.1.Earlyparliamentaryelections..........................................................................................................18
2.2.2.Presidentialelections.......................................................................................................................19
2.3. Civilsociety.................................................................................................................................................19
2.4. Media(TV,newspapers,internet).............................................................................................................20
2.4.1.Televisionandnewspapers..............................................................................................................212.4.2.Internet............................................................................................................................................. 21

3.

Rule of Law and State Protection ............................................................................................................... 22
3.1. Lawenforcement.......................................................................................................................................22
3.1.1.Police.................................................................................................................................................22
3.1.2.Army.................................................................................................................................................23
3.1.3.Security-intelligenceforces.............................................................................................................. 24
3.1.4.Corruption........................................................................................................................................25
3.1.5.Fightagainstorganisedcrime.......................................................................................................... 26
3.2. Judiciary...................................................................................................................................................... 27

4.

Security situation ....................................................................................................................................... 29

5.

Human rights situation .............................................................................................................................. 31
5.1. Legalcontextandinstitutionalframework............................................................................................... 31
5.1.1.OmbudsmanofSerbia...................................................................................................................... 31
5.1.2.MinistryofJustice............................................................................................................................ 32
5.2. Generalsituation........................................................................................................................................ 32
5.2.1.Freedomofexpressionandinformation.........................................................................................33
5.2.2.Freedomofreligion..........................................................................................................................33
5.2.3.Freedomofassemblyandassociation.............................................................................................34
5.2.4.Tortureandothercruel,inhumaneanddegradingtreatmentandpunishment............................35
5.2.5.Detention.......................................................................................................................................... 35

6—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

5.3. Specificgroups........................................................................................................................................... 35
5.3.1.Ethnicandreligiousminorities.........................................................................................................35
5.3.2.Journalistsandmedia.......................................................................................................................36
5.3.3.Humanrightsandpeacedefenders.................................................................................................36
5.3.4.Women............................................................................................................................................. 37
5.3.5.Children............................................................................................................................................38
5.3.6.Lesbian,gay,bisexual,transsexualandintersexpersons(LGBTI)...................................................38
5.3.7.Traffickedpersons.............................................................................................................................39
5.3.8.Refugees,IDPsandReturnees.........................................................................................................39
Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................................... 41
Terms of Reference ............................................................................................................................................ 60

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—7Disclaimer
ThisreportwaswrittenaccordingtotheEASOCOIReportMethodology(2012)(1).Itisbasedoncarefullyselected
sourcesofinformation.Allsourcesusedarereferenced.Totheextentpossibleandunlessotherwisestated,all
informationpresented,exceptforundisputedorobviousfacts,hasbeencross-checked.
Theinformationcontainedinthisreporthasbeenresearched,evaluatedandanalysedwithutmostcare.However,
thisdocumentdoesnotclaimtobeexhaustive.Ifaparticularevent,personororganisationisnotmentionedinthereport,thisdoesnotmeanthattheeventhasnottakenplaceorthatthepersonororganisationdoesnotexist.
Furthermore,thisreportisnotconclusiveastothedeterminationormeritofanyparticularclaimtorefugeestatus
orasylum.Terminologyusedshouldnotberegardedasindicativeofaparticularlegalposition.
‘Refugee’,‘risk’andsimilarterminologyareusedasagenericterminologyandnotaslegallydefinedintheEUAsylum
AcquisandtheGenevaConvention.
NeitherEASOnoranypersonactingonitsbehalfmaybeheldresponsiblefortheusewhichmaybemadeofthe
informationcontainedinthisreport.
Reproductionisauthorised,providedthesourceisacknowledged.
Thetargetaudienceareasylumcaseworkers,COIresearchers,policymakers,anddecision-makingauthorities.
Thedraftingofthisreportwasfinalizedon30September2016.Anyeventtakingplaceafterthisdateisnotincluded
inthisreport.Anexceptiontothiscut-offdatewasmadefortheEuropeanCommission’s2016Communicationon
EUEnlargementPolicyissued9November2016,themainfindingsofwhichwereincorporatedinthisreport.

(1) TheEASOmethodologyislargelybasedontheCommonEUGuidelinesforprocessingCountryofOriginInformation(COI),2008,andcanbedownloadedfromtheEASOCOIPortal:https://coi.easo.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/EASO%20COI%20Report%20Methodology.pdf.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—9

Glossary and Abbreviations
ANA

AlbanianNationalArmy

BIA

SecurityInformationAgency

BiH

BosniaandHerzegovina

BDZS

BosniakDemocraticCommunityofSandžakCEPOL

EuropeanUnionAgencyforLawEnforcementTraining

CoE

CouncilofEurope

DJB

EnoughisEnough(progressivemovement)

DS

DemocraticParty

DSHV

DemocraticAllianceofCroatsinVojvodina

DSS

DemocraticPartyofSerbia

EC

European Commission

EIDHR

EuropeanInstrumentforDemocracyandHumanRights

EP

European Parliament

ETV

PublicEnterpriseBroadcastingEquipmentandCommunications

EU

European Union

EULEX

EuropeanUnionRuleofLawMissioninKosovo

EUROPOL

EuropeanPoliceOffice

FRY

FederalRepublicofYugoslavia

GRECOGroupofStatesagainstCorruption

GDP

GrossDomesticProduct

IBM

IntegratedBorderManagement

IFEX

TheGlobalNetworkDefendingandPromotingFreedomofExpression

ILO

InternationalLabourOrganisation

IMF

InternationalMonetaryFund

IPA

InstrumentforPre-AccessionAssistance

IREX

InternationalResearchandExchangesBoard

KFOR

KosovoForce

KLA

KosovoLiberationArmy

LDP

LiberalDemocraticParty

LFPA

LawonFinancingPoliticalActivities

LEOM

LimitedElectionObservationMission

LER

LawonElectionofRepresentatives

LGBT

Lesbian,gay,bisexualandtransgenderpersons

LSV

LeagueofSocialDemocratsofVojvodina

10—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

LUVR

LawontheUnifiedVotersRegister

MFF

MultiannualFinancialFramework

MoI

Ministry of Interior

NATO

NorthAtlanticTreatyOrganisation

NS

NewSerbia

ODIHR

OfficeforDemocraticInstitutionsandHumanRights

OECD

OrganisationforEconomicCo-operationandDevelopment

OSAC

OverseasSecurityAdvisoryCouncil

OSCE

OrganisationforSecurityandCo-operationinEurope

PDD

PartyforDemocraticAction

PS

MovementofSocialists

PSS

MovementStrengthofSerbia

PUPS

PartyofUnitedPensionersofSerbia

RIK

RepublicElectoralCommission

RSF

ReportersWithoutBorders

SAA

StabilisationandAssociationAgreement

SBPOK

ServiceforCombatingOrganizedCrime

SDA Sandžak

PartyofDemocraticActionofSandžak

SDP

SocialDemocraticPartyofSerbia

SDPS

SocialDemocraticPartyofSerbia

SDS

SocialDemocraticParty

SEIO

EuropeanIntegrationOffice

SFRY

SocialistFederalRepublicofYugoslavia

SIGMA

SupportforImprovementinGovernanceandManagement

SNP

Serbian People’s Party

SNS

SerbianProgressiveParty

SPO

SerbianRenewalMovement

SPS

SerbianSocialistParty

SRS

SerbianRadicalParty

SVM

AllianceofVojvodinaHungarians

UKP

CriminalPolice

UMNIK

UnitedNationsMissioninKosovo

VBA

MilitarySecurityAgency

VOA

MilitaryIntelligenceAgency

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—11

IntroductionThisCountryFocusreportontheRepublicofSerbiawaswrittenattherequestoftheEuropeanCouncilforgeneralbackgroundinformationandmoredetailedinformationrelevantforinternationalprotectionstatusdetermination
andfortheassessmentoftheapplicabilityofthesafecountryoforiginconcepttoSerbia.Forthedesignationofsafecountriesoforigin,AnnexIoftheAsylumProceduresDirectiveforeseesthat:‘Acountryisconsideredasasafecountryoforiginwhere,onthebasisofthelegalsituation,theapplicationofthelawwithinademocraticsystemandthegeneralpoliticalcircumstances,itcanbeshownthatthereisgenerallyand
consistentlynopersecutionasdefinedinArticle9ofDirective2011/95/EU,notortureorinhumanordegradingtreatmentorpunishmentandnothreatbyreasonofindiscriminateviolenceinsituationsofinternationalorinternalarmedconflict.’ (2)Inaddition,‘accountshallbetaken,inter alia,oftheextenttowhichprotectionisprovidedagainstpersecutionor
mistreatment’ (3).TheSerbiaCountryFocuscoversthemostimportantinformationrelatedtotheabovementioned
criteriaforsafecountryoforigindesignation:statestructure,socio-politicallandscape,ruleoflawandstate
protection,securitysituationandhumanrightssituation.TheTermsofReferencecanbefoundattheendofthe
report.
Thereportaimstoprovideanobjectiveandneutralinformationbase(withoutassessmentorpolicyrecommendations)
thatwillallowformoreinformedpolicydiscussions.Itshouldbenotedthatthesituationofthirdcountrynationals
inSerbia(includingpersonstransitingthroughthecountryorseekinginternationalprotectioninSerbia)doesnot
fallwithinthescopeofthisreport.

Methodology• DefiningtheTermsofReference
TheTermsofReferencehavebeendefinedon8April2016takingintoaccountfeedbackfromtheEASOCountryof
OriginInformation(COI)StrategicNetwork.
• Draftingprocess
ThefirstdraftofthisreportwasdraftedbyEASOstaff.Thereferenceperiodforthisreportis30September2016.
Anexceptiontothiscut-offdatewasmadefortheEuropeanCommission’s2016CommunicationonEUEnlargement
Policy(4)issued9November2016,themainfindingsofwhichwereincorporatedinthisreport.
• Qualitycontrol
InordertoensurethattheauthorsrespectedtheEASOCOIReportMethodology,aqualityreviewwascarriedoutbyCOIspecialistsfromthecountrieslistedasreviewersintheAcknowledgements section,andbyEASO.All
commentsmadebythereviewersweretakenintoconsiderationandmostofthemwereimplementedinthefinal
draftofthisreport.

(2) CouncilofEurope,Directive2013/32/EUoftheEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilof26June2013oncommonproceduresforgrantingandwithdrawinginternationalprotection(recast),29June2013.
(3) CouncilofEurope,Directive2013/32/EUoftheEuropeanParliamentandoftheCouncilof26June2013oncommonproceduresforgrantingandwithdrawinginternationalprotection(recast),29June2013.
(4) EuropeanCommission,CommunicationfromtheCommissiontotheEuropeanParliament,theCouncil,theEuropeanEconomicandSocialCommitteeand
theCommitteeoftheRegions–2016CommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy,COM(2016)715final,9November2016.

12—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

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The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map
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Department of Peacekeeping Operation
Cartographic SectionEASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—13

1. State structure
TheRepublicofSerbiadeclareditsindependenceon5June2006asthelegalsuccessortotheStateUnionofSerbia
andMontenegro,whichendedfollowingthereferendumofindependenceinMontenegroheldon21May2006(6).
TheendofthefederationofSerbiaandMontenegromarkedthelastchapterinthedissolutionoftheSocialistFederal
RepublicofYugoslavia(SFRY)formedin1945andcomposedofsixfederalrepublics:BosniaandHerzegovina,Croatia,
Macedonia,Montenegro,SerbiaandSlovenia(7).

1.1. Constitution
TheNationalAssemblyofSerbiaadoptedthedraftofthenewConstitutionon30September2006,andtheproposal
wasapprovedinareferendumheldon28-29October2006.TheConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbiaenteredinto
forceon8November2006(8).
AccordingtotheConstitution’spreamble,theAutonomousProvinceofKosovoandMetohija(9)isindivisibleand
an integral part of Serbia (10).
ThedialoguebetweenSerbiaandKosovoontheindependenceofthelatterwasresumedinOctober2012,translatinginthesignature,inApril2013,ofthe‘BrusselsAgreement’(11).
EditaTahiri,Kosovo’sMinisterforDialoguerecentlystatedthat‘SerbiashouldexcludeKosovofromitsconstitution
inordertobecomeanEUmember’(12),althoughtheSerbianMinisterofForeignAffairsandthefirstVice-Prime
Ministerdismissedthepossibilitythattheconstitutioncouldbeamendedduringthenewgovernment’smandate(13).
InApril2015,Serbia’sPrimeMinisterAleksandarVucićacknowledgedtheneedtoamendtheSerbianconstitution,
emphasisingthatsuchareviewwouldnotberelatedtoKosovo’sindependence,buttotheEUaccessionprocess(14).
On10August2016,VucićstatedthatalthoughrecognisingKosovo’sindependencewouldbetheonlyimmediate
solution,itwasnotaviableoptionfortheSerbiangovernment(15).
TheEuropeanCommission’s2016Communicationnotesthat‘constitutionalreformsareneededforalignmentwith
EUstandardsinsomeareas’(16).

1.2. Executive branch
AccordingtoArticle122oftheconstitution,theGovernmentholdstheexecutivepower.TheGovernmentiselected
bythedeputiesoftheNationalAssemblywhich,togetherwiththePresidentoftheRepublic,formthecountry’s
executiveauthority(17).

(6) OSCE,ReferendumonState-Status,RepublicofMontenegro(SerbiaandMontenegro),21May2006.
(7) BBCNews,Timeline:Break-upofYugoslavia,22May2006.
(8) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(9) TheAutonomousProvinceofKosovoandMetohija,commonlyreferredtoasKosovo,isthesouthernprovinceofSerbia,thatinFebruary2008unilaterally
declaredindependence,andproclaimeditselftheRepublicofKosovo*TheRepublicofKosovoisrecognizedby23outof28EUMembersStates,24outof
28NATOMemberStates,and111outof193UNMemberStates.TheGovernmentofSerbiadoesnotrecognizeKosovo*asasovereignstate,howeverin
April2013thelandmarkBrusselsAgreementwasachievedwithintheEUfacilitateddialogueonthenormalizationofrelationsbetweenSerbiaandKosovo*.
NormalizationofrelationsbetweenSerbiaandKosovo*,remainsthekeyrequirementinSerbia’saccessionnegotiationstotheEuropeanUnion.
(10) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(11) EP,Ataglance,SerbiaandKosovo:Normalisationofrelations,March2016.
(12) b92.net[website],BelgradetoPristina:IncludeSerbiainyourconstitution,26July2016.
(13) Tanjug,Dacic:Serbia’spositiononKosovo-Metohijaremainsunchanged,26July2016.
(14) InSerbiaNetworkFoundation,Vucic:SerbiawillhavetochangeConstitution,28April2015.
(15) Tanjug.Exactly[website],Vucic:GovernmentcannotandwillnotrecogniseKosovo,10August2016.
(16) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20.
(17) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.

14—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

1.2.1. President
Underconstitutionallaw,thePresidentrecommendsthecandidateforPrimeMinisterandrepresentativestothe
SerbianNationalAssembly.Althoughthepresidentpostisprimarilyceremonial,itsdutiesincludecommandingthe
militaryandappointingitsofficers,andpromulgatinglawsbydecree(18).
Thepresidentiselectedforafive-yearmandate.Themandatemayceasewhenthetermends,throughresignation
orimpeachment.Themandatemayalsoceaseduringstateofwaroremergency,anditcanbereintroducedfor
threemonthsfollowingtheendofeither(19).
TomislavNikolićwaselectedthePresidentoftheRepublicofSerbiainMay2012inthesecondroundofearly
presidentialelections(20).
Followingtheelections,andinlinewiththeconstitution,PresidentNikolićresignedasPresidentoftheSerbian
ProgressiveParty(SNS).NikolićformedtheSNSin2008,followinghisresignationfromtheultranationalistSerbian
RadicalParty(SRS)inwhichhewasadeputysince1992(21).HisdeparturefromtheSRSwasmostlymotivatedbythedisagreementwiththepartyleadershipthatdidnotsupportSerbia’saccessiontotheEuropeanUnion(22).

1.2.2. Government
AccordingtotheSerbianconstitution,thegovernmentsystemisbasedonthecleardivisionofpowerbetweenthelegislative,theexecutiveandjudiciarybranches.Thesystemisruledbytheprincipleofchecksandbalances,and
thejudiciaryiscompletelyindependent(23).
Thegovernmentholdsexecutivepower,isdirectlyaccountabletotheNationalAssembly,andisresponsiblefor:
policyformulation,executionandenforcementsoflawsandothergeneralactsoftheNationalAssembly,regulationandsupervisionoftheworkofpublicadministrationentities(24).
Thegovernmentconsistsoftheprimeminister,oneormorevice-presidents,andministers.TheNationalAssembly
votesontheelectionoftheprimeminister,theGovernment’sprogrammeandmembersofthegovernment.Anew
governmentiselectedbymajority(25).
MembersoftheGovernmentmayactasdeputiesormembersoftheNationalAssembly,intheautonomousprovinces
ofVojvodinaandKosovo’sassemblies,inexecutivecouncilsandbodiesofthelocalself-governmentbodies(26).
Anewgovernmentwasformedon11August2016,followinggeneralelectionsheldon24Apriland4May2016.
AleksandarVučićoftheSerbianProgressiveParty(SNS),aformermemberoftheultranationalistSerbianRadical
Party(SRS),hasbeenappointedprimeministerforasecondterm.Hisgovernmentconsistsof18ministries,two
vice-presidentsandtwoministerswithoutportfolio(27).TheprogrammeofthenewgovernmentincludedSerbia’s
EUaccessionasaprioritygoal(28).
AnotablechangeinthenewgovernmentwastheappointmentofAnaBrnabic,amemberoftheLGBTcommunity,
asMinisterofPublicAdministrationandLocalSelf-Government(29).

(18) PresidentoftheRepublicofSerbia(The),President,n.d.
(19) PresidentoftheRepublicofSerbia(The),President,n.d.
(20) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–ParliamentaryandEarlyPresidentialElection6and20May2012,31July2016.
(21) PresidentoftheRepublicofSerbia(The),Biography,n.d.
(22) BBC,Serboppositionleaderresigns,7September2008.
(23) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(24) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(25) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(26) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(27) Tanjug,Serbiagetsnewgovernment,11August2016.
(28) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20.
(29) ANSA,Serbia’snewgovernmenttoincludeopenlygayminister,8August2016.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—15

1.3. Legislative branch: National Assembly
TheNationalAssemblyoftheRepublicofSerbiais‘thehighestrepresentativebodyandholderofconstitutionaland
legislativepowerintheRepublicofSerbia’(30).Ithasaunicameralstructureandconsistsof250deputies,elected
fromasinglenationwideconstituencyusingtheproportionalelectoralsystem.Itsdeputiesareelectedforafour-year
term.Mandatesaredistributedamongcandidateliststhatreceivemorethan5%ofthecastvotes,whilenational
minoritieslistsareexemptfromthisthreshold.Atwo-thirdsmajorityisrequiredtoconstitutetheNationalAssembly.
Earlyparliamentaryelections,calledbyPrimeMinisterAleksandarVučić,wereheldon24April2016.Theelectoral
listofsixpartiesassembledaroundtheSerbianProgressiveParty(SNS)wonaclearmajoritybysecuring131out
of250seatsintheNationalAssembly,comparedto158seatswoninthe2014elections(31).ThenextelectionswillbeheldinApril2020(32).
TheEuropeanCommissioninits2016Communicationnotedthatthe‘involvementofparliamentandstakeholders[…]wasfurtherenhanced’,butalsothat‘theinclusiveness,transparencyandqualityoflaw-makingandeffective
oversightoftheexecutiveneedtobefurtherenhanced,andtheuseofurgentprocedureslimited’(33).
ForfurtherinformationonelectionsfortheNationalAssembly,seeElections.

1.4. AdministrationIn2004,Serbiaadoptedapublicadministrationreform(PAR)strategy,implementedthroughtwoactionplansfor
2004-2008and2009-2012.InJanuary2014,SerbiaadoptedanewPARstrategyfor2015-2017(34),aimedatcreatingofamoreuser-orientatedadministration,simplifyingadministrativeprocedures,andfosteringtheimplementation
ofe-governmentprojectsandservices(35).
TheMinistryofPublicAdministrationandLocalSelf-Governmentisinchargeofcoordinatingtheimplementation
ofthereformviatheinter-ministerialPARgroup,whichincludesotherstateadministrativebodies,civilsocietyand
localgovernmentrepresentatives(36).
AccordingtotheEuropeanCommissioninits2016Communication:‘Serbiaismoderatelypreparedintheareaofpublicadministrationreform.Goodprogresswasachievedwiththe
adoptionofthepublicfinancialmanagementreformprogramme,strategiesone-governmentandonregulatory
reformandpolicy-making,andofnewlawsonadministrativeprocedures,publicsalariesandlocalandprovincial
civilservants.Serbianeedstoimplementitsreformtargets,professionaliseanddepoliticisetheadministrationand
makerecruitmentanddismissalproceduresmoretransparent,especiallyforseniormanagementpositions’(37).

(30) NationalAssemblyofSerbia,Jurisdication,competencesanddutiesoftheNationalAssembly,n.d.
(31) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,29July2016.
(32) CIA,WorldFactbook(The),Serbia,LegislativeBranch,lastupdatedApril2016.
(33) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20.
(34) EC,IPAII2014-2020-Serbia-SectorReformContractforPublicAdministrationReform,n.d.
(35) EC,IPAII2014-2020-Serbia-SectorReformContractforPublicAdministrationReform,n.d.
(36) EC,IPAII2014-2020-Serbia-SectorReformContractforPublicAdministrationReform,n.d.
(37) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20.

16—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

2. Socio-political landscape
2.1. Political parties
TheSerbianconstitutionguaranteesthefreeestablishmentofpoliticalparties,exceptiftheyaimatthe‘forced
overthrowofconstitutionalsystem,violationofguaranteedhumanorminorityrights,incitingracial,nationalor
religioushatred’(38).
AccordingtoOSCE’s24April2016earlyelectionsreport,20candidatelistsranintheparliamentaryelections(39).
OSCEandIPUindicatethat12wonparliamentaryseats,leadingtothefollowingmandates:• AleksandarVučić–“SerbiaWins” (40)-131• IvicaDačić–SPS–JS–DraganMarkovićPalma(41)-29• DrVojislavŠešelj–SerbianRadicalParty-22• EnoughisEnough–SašaRadulović-16
• “FairforSerbia”–DemocraticParty(Nova,DSHV,ZZC)-16• Dveri–DemocraticPartyofSerbia–SandaRaškovićIvić–BoškoObradović-13• BorisTadić,ČedomirJovanović–AllianceforaBetterSerbia(LDP-LSV-SDS) (42)-13• AllianceofVojvodinaHungarians(SVM)–IstvánPásztor-4• MuamerZukorlić–BosniakDemocraticCommunityofSandžak-2• SDASandžak–DrSulejmanUgljaninBosniakDemocraticUnionofSandzak-2• GreenParty-1• PartyforDemocraticAction–ArditaSinani-1(43)AccordingtotheCentralIntelligenceAgency’sfactbook,inApril2016Serbiahad111registeredpoliticalpartiesand
citizens’associations.AlistofsomeofSerbia’spoliticalpartiescanbefoundintheCIA’sfactbook(44).
Minority parties
AccordingtoOSCE,‘oftheeightnationalminoritycandidateliststhatcontestedtheelections,twowereregisteredasrepresentingtheBosniakminority,twoasHungarian,twoasRussian,oneasAlbanianandoneasSlovak’.The
DemocraticAllianceofCroatsinVojvodina(DSHV),representingtheCroatianethnicminority,wasincludedinthelistformedaroundtheDemocraticParty(DS)(45).
Thefollowingcandidatelistsofminoritypartiestogethercaptured4.39%ofthevotesandsecured11seatsinthe
NationalAssembly(46):• AllianceofVojvodinaHungarians(SVM)–IstvánPásztor-4• MuamerZukorlić–BosniakDemocraticCommunityofSandžak-2• SDASandžak–DrSulejmanUgljaninBosniakDemocraticUnionofSandzak-2• GreenParty-1(38) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(39) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,29July2016.
(40) IPUindicatesthat“AleksandarVučić-SerbiaWins”’includesVučić’sownSerbianProgressiveParty(SNS),NewSerbia(NS),theSerbianRenewalMovement
(SPO)andtheSocialistMovement(PS),theSocialDemocraticPartyofSerbia(SDS),thePartyofUnitedPensionersofSerbia(PUPS),theStrengthofSerbia
Movement(PSS),theIndependentDemocraticPartyofSerbiaandtheSerbianPeople’sParty(SNP);andthe“AllianceforaBetterSerbia”coalitioniscomposed
bytheLiberalDemocraticParty,theLeagueofSocialDemocratsofVojvodina(LSV)andtheSocialDemocraticParty.
(41) AccordingtotheInter-ParliamentaryUnion,the“IvicaDacic-SPS-JS-DraganMarkovicPalma”coalitionincludestheSocialPartyofSerbia(SPS)andthe
UnitedSerbia(JS).
(42) IPUindicatesthatthe“AllianceforaBetterSerbia”coalitioniscomposedbytheLiberalDemocraticParty,theLeagueofSocialDemocratsofVojvodina(LSV)
andtheSocialDemocraticParty.
(43) April2016;OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,29July2016;IPU,PARLINE,SerbiaNarodnaskupstina(National
Assembly).
(44) CIA,WorldFactbook(The),Serbia,Politicalpartiesandleaders,lastupdatedApril2016.
(45) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,29July2016.
(46) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,29July2016.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—17• PartyforDemocraticAction–ArditaSinani-1(47)TheSVM,representingtheHungarianminority,participatesintheNationalAssemblyaspartoftheSNS-led
coalition(48),anditspartyleader,IstvánPásztor,hasbeenreelectedasthePresidentoftheAssemblyofthe
AutonomousProvinceofVojvodina(49).TheSVMisoneofthesisterpartiesofFideszofViktorOrbán(50).
ThePartyforDemocraticAction(PDD)wastheonlyAlbanianminoritypartyparticipatinginthe2016elections.It
representedtheAlbanianethnicminorityinthesouthernmunicipalitiesofPreševo,BujanovcandMedveđa,bounded
byMontenegroontheeast,KosovotothewestandtheformerYugoslavRepublicofMacedoniatothesouth.The
PDDwillparticipateintheNationalAssemblyandisexpectedtocooperatecloselywiththerulingSNStoaddress
theparticipationofAlbanianminoritiesinSerbianpolitics,andworktowardstheimprovementofthecommunity’s
conditions(51)throughthegovernment’sCoordinationBody(52).
OtherAlbanianminoritypartiesthatrepresenthalfoftheethnic-groupselectorateboycottedtheAprilelectionsoverarowinvolvingdistributionofelementaryschoolbooksinAlbanianproducedinKosovowithanapparentpolitical
bias (53),freedomofexpression,andproblemspertainingtothelocalgovernanceandeconomicprospects(54).The
PDDistheonlyAlbanianminoritypartytoparticipateintheNationalAssemblysincetheconflictin2000(55).
BosniaksminoritypartiesparticipatingintheNationalAssemblyincludetheSocialDemocraticPartyofSerbia(SDP)
ledbyRasimLjajić(SDP),thePartyofDemocraticAction(SDA)ledbySulejmanUgljaninandtheBosniakDemocratic
CommunityofSanǆak(BDZS)ledbytheex-MuftiMuamerZukorlić(56).
TheSDPhasbeeninthecoalitionwiththerulingSNSsince2014,anditsleaderRasimLjajićhasbeenappointed
deputyprimeministerandministerinthenewlyformedgovernment(57).
TheBDZShasannouncedthatitwillworkcloselywiththeSNStoadvancetheinterestsofBosniaksinSanǆak.Its
leader,MuamerZukorlić,representsoneofthetwobranchesofthedividedIslamiccommunityinSerbiaandfor
beinganadvocateofamoreautonomousSanǆak(58).
TheSDAinSanǆakisanoffshootofBosniaandHerzegovina’sSDA,foundedin1989byAlijaIzetbegović,thefirst
BosniakmemberoftheTripartitePresidencyfollowingtheDaytonAgreementin1995(59).
ThreepartiesrepresentingtheRomaminoritycontestedthe2016electionsanddidnotsecureseatsintheNational
Assembly (60)unlikeinthelastmandate(61).
Apointofcontentionintheelectionofminoritypartiesistherulethattoregisterapoliticalpartyanethnicminority
isrequiredtoobtain1,000signatures,buttodisputeelectionsitmustregister10,000signatures(62).ThisrulehadadirecteffectonbilateralrelationswithCroatia,whichviewedparticipationofCroatianminoritiesinpoliticsas
essentialtoprocessingSerbia’saccessionnegotiationswiththeEU(63).

(47) NationalAssemblyofSerbia,PoslaničkagrupaDemokratskastranka,n.d.
(48) TheAllianceofVojvodinaHungarians,КоалициониспоразумозаједничкомделовањупрограмскомсамучешћуувладиРепубликеСрбије,“The
coalitionagreementofjointprogrammingactivitiesandparticipationintheGovernmentoftheRepublicofSerbia”,14August2016.
(49) AssemblyoftheAutonomousProvinceofVojvodina,PresidentoftheAssembly,n.d.
(50) Politika,OrbanovreferendumnećepokvaritiodnoseSNS-aiSVM-a,“Orban’sreferendumwillnotspoilrelationsSNSandSVM”,27July2016.
(51) B92,Albanianpartyfromsouthreadytobepartofgovernment,25May2016.
(52) CoordinationBodyfortheMunicipalitiesofPreševo,BujanovacandMedveđa,Acitivities,n.d.
(53) BalkanInsight,SerbiasendsAlbanianschoolbooksbacktoKosovo,2March2016.
(54) RTS,Albancinalokalneizborenajuguuvišekolona,6April2016.
(55) ICG,Serbia:MaintainingpeaceinthePreševoValley,16October2007.
(56) Aljazeera,Sandžak:LjajićslaviouNovomPazaru,UgljaninuTutinuiSjenici,25April2016.
(57) VladaSrbije,Potpredsedniciiministry,DeputyPrimeMinistersandMinisters,GovernmentoftheRepublicofSerbia,n.d.
(58) Deliso,Christopher,“ThecomingBalkanCaliphate–ThethreatofradicalIslamtoEuropeandtheWest”,PraegerSecurityInternational,2007.
(59) StrankaDemokratskeAkcijeSandžaka(SDA),SDASandžakaobilježilavišeodčetvrtvijekaradaipostojanja,SDASandžak,29July2016.
(60) Istinomer-Izbori2016,15.RomskaListaSrbije,“15.RomalistofSerbia”,n.d.
(61) OtvoreniParlament,Aktuelnisaziv,n.d.
(62) OtvoreniParlament,Aktuelnisaziv,n.d.
(63) EurActiv,SerbiaseeksmoreEUaccessiontalksdespiteCroatiaopposition,11May2016.

18—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

2.2. Elections
ThelegalframeworkregulatingtheelectoralsysteminSerbiaincludesthe2006constitution(64),the2000Lawon
ElectionofRepresentatives(LER)(65),the2009LawontheUnifiedVotersRegister(LUVR)(66),the2009LawonPolitical
Parties(LPP)(67)andthe2011LawonFinancingPoliticalActivities(LFPA)(68).Otherlegalbillssupplementingthelegalframeworkarethe2012RepublicElectoralCommission(RIK)RulesofProcedure(69),includingitsinstructionsanddecisions,andthe2016LawonPublicGathering,whichisapplicabletocampaignevents(70).
TheRepublicElectoralCommission(RIK)and8,377PollingBoards(PBs)compriseatwo-tieredelectionadministration.
Inaddition,theRIKsetup166ad-hocWorkingBodies(WBs)thatprovidedtechnicalandlogisticalsupportforthe
elections(71).
Citizensover18andresidinginSerbiahavetherighttoelectandbeelected(72).
AccordingtotheOSCE,theprovisionestablishedbytheLERthatdeterminescitizenswhowere‘legallyincapacitated
byacourtdecisionareautomaticallyineligibletovote’isa‘disproportionaterestriction’notinlinewithOSCE
commitmentsandinternationalstandards(73).

2.2.1. Early parliamentary elections
PrimeMinisterAleksandarVučićoftheSerbianProgressiveParty(SNS)calledearlyparliamentaryelectionson24
April2016.Theelectionturnoutwas56.07%,similartotheturnoutsinthe2012(74)and2014(75).
Accordingtomediasources,theearlyparliamentaryelections,whichcoincidedwithprovincialelections,presented
anopportunityfortheSNStoconsolidateitspowerandextenditspresenceatnational,provincialandlocallevels.
Duringthecampaign,Vučićinsistedthatastablemajorityandwidesupportwouldallowtheimplementationof
priorityreformsandthecompletionofnegotiationsofaccessionwiththeEUby2020(76).
TheSNSwon131seatsintheNationalAssembly(77),27seatslessthanin2014elections(78).
AccordingtoBalkan Insight,thepro-EUoppositionremaineddivideddespitepre-electioneffortstoformacoalition
[composedbytheDemocraticParty(DS),theLiberalDemocraticParty(LDP)andtheSocialDemocraticParty(SDS)](79).
Thepro-EUoppositionpartiesrepresentedintheNationalAssemblyare:• DS-ledcoalition-6.02%ofcastedvotes–16seats;• SDScoalitionofformerpresidentBorisTadić–5.02%ofcastedvotes–13seats;• EnoughisEnough(DJB)movement–6.02%ofcastedvotes–16seats(80).
OSCEconsideredtheelectionstogenerallybefreeandfair(81).

(64) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(65) Legislationonline,LawontheElectionsofRepresentativesoftheRepublicofSerbia(updatedasof05.04),2000.
(66) Legislationonline,LawontheUnifiedVotersRegister,2009.
(67) Legislationonline,LawonPoliticalParties,2009.
(68) Legislationonline,LawonFinancingPoliticalActivities,2011.
(69) Legislationonline,RepublicElectoralCommissionRulesofProcedure,n.d.
(70) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,LimitedElectionObservationMissionFinalReport,29July2016.
(71) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,LimitedElectionObservationMissionFinalReport,29July2016.
(72) Legislationaline,LawontheElectionsofRepresentativesoftheRepublicofSerbia(updatedasof05.04),2000.
(73) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,LimitedElectionObservationMissionFinalReport,29July2016.
(74) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections6and20May2012,LimitedElectionObservationMissionFinalReport,31July2012.
(75) OSCE,ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections16March2014,ElectionObservationMissionFinalReport,22May2014.
(76) EurActivwithAgenceFrance-Press,Pro-RussianssetforcomebackinSerbia,21April2016.
(77) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,LimitedElectionObservationMissionFinalReport,29July2016.
(78) OSCE,ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections16March2014,ElectionObservationMissionFinalReport,22May2014.
(79) BalkanInsight,Serbia’soppositionfailstouniteaheadofpolls,1March2016.
(80) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections6and20May2012,LimitedElectionObservationMissionFinalReport,31July2012.
(81) OSCE/ODIHR,RepublicofSerbia–EarlyParliamentaryElections24April2016,LimitedElectionObservationMissionFinalReport,29July2016.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—19

TheEuropeanCommissioninits2016Communicationnotedthattheearlynationalelectionstookplaceinacalm
atmosphere,butalsothat‘recommendationsofinternationalobserversneedtobefollowedup,includingthoseon
ensuringthatcampaignfinancingandtheregistrationprocessaretransparent’(82).

2.2.2. Presidential elections
AccordingtoArticle114oftheSerbianConstitution,thepresidentialelectionsarescheduledbytheSpeakerofthe
NationalAssembly90daysbeforetheendofthecurrentpresidentialterm,andtheelectionshouldbecompleted
within60days.Thepresidentmaynotbeappointedmorethantwice.Thepresidentialmandateendswiththeexpiry
ofthetermofoffice,resignationorimpeachment(83).
Thenextpresidentialelectionsarescheduledtotakeplacein2017.AccordingtoBobanStojanović,associated
professoroftheFacultyofPoliticalSciences(UniversityofBelgrade),therehasbeenspeculationastowhether
therulingSNSwillsupportPresidentNikolić’snominationforasecondterm,andaboutapotentialpivotwhere
PrimeMinisterVucićwouldrunforpresident.Stojanovićsaysthatalthoughthescenarioisunlikely,itwouldnot
beasurprise–theDemocraticParty(DS)leaderBorisTadićretaineddecisivepoliticalpowerbetween2008-2012
throughinfluenceintheDSeventhoughtheroleofpresidentmainlyinvolvesfunctionsofprotocol(84).
Thecandidateswhohaveannouncedtheirintentiontoruninthe2017presidentialelectionsincludethecurrent
PresidentTomislavNikolić(SNS),IvicaDačić(SPS),RasimLjaljić(SDP)andDr.VojislavŠešelj(SRS)(85).
AccordingtoBalkan Insight,thereismediaspeculationthatthepro-EUoppositionmayproposeajointpresidential
contender,withthecurrentOmbudsmanSašaJankovićthemostwidelyacceptablecandidate.Jankovićhasneither
confirmednordeniedhisintentiontoruninthepresidentialelections(86).

2.3. Civil society
TheestablishmentofcitizensassociationsandCivilSocietyOrganisations(CSOs)inSerbia(87)isgovernedbytheLaw
ofAssociations(88)whiletheNationalStrategyforanEnablingEnvironmentforCivilSocietyDevelopment(20152019)definesthemethodsofcooperationandpartnershipbetweentheSerbiangovernmentandthecivil-society
sector(89).
Themainobjectiveofthestrategyistocreateapolicyframeworktostimulatethedemocraticprocessandcontribute
towardsamoreopensociety.TheNationalStrategyalsoprovidesthemechanismforinformation-sharing,monitoringandimplementationofthebenchmarksagreedbytheSerbiangovernment(90).
AccordingtotheSerbianBusinessRegistersAgency(SBRA),thereare26,942citizenassociationsandcivil-society
organisations(CSOs)inSerbia(91).
Intheframeworkoftheaccessionnegotiations,theEUprovidessupporttothecivil-societysectorthroughfundingfromtheInstrumentforPre-AccessionAssistance(IPAII),specificallythroughtheIPAIICivilSocietyFacilityand
MediaProgramme2014-2015(92).Fundingforthiswasincreasedin2016(93).

(82) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20.
(83) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(84) PartySystemsandGovernmentsObservatory–UniversityofNottingham,Earlyelections,formationofthegovernmentandimpactoftheupcomingpresidentialelections,17August2016.
(85) B92,Seselj,Nikolic,LjajicandDacicin2017presidentialrace,16May2016.
(86) BalkanInsight,Serbia’soppositionseeksviablepresidentialcontender,7September2016.
(87) OfficialGazetteoftheRepublicofSerbia(The),TheLawonAssociations,no.51,14July2009.
(88) SEIO,LawonAssociations,14July2009.
(89) NationalStrategyforanEnablingEnvironmentforCivilSocietyDevelopmentintheRepublicofSerbia(The),Whystrategy,n.d.
(90) TheNationalStrategyforanEnablingEnvironmentforCivilSocietyDevelopmentintheRepublicofSerbia,Whystrategy,n.d.
(91) SerbianBusinessRegistersAgency(SBRA),n.d.
(92) EC,(IPAII)2014-2020–IndicativeStrategyPaperforSerbia(2014-2020),adopted19August2014.
(93) TheDelegationoftheEuropeanUniontotheRepublicofSerbia,EUIncreasesSupportforCivilSociety,25February2016.

20—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

TheOfficeforCooperationwithCivilSociety(94)isthemainauthorityresponsibleforfacilitatingdialoguebetween
thegovernmentandCSOs.ItsprimarytaskistoimprovethestrategicandlegalframeworkforCSOsandensure
theirparticipationatalllevelsofdecision-making(95).TheofficealsosupportstheOCDoskop(96),aninteractiveweb
platformforCSOsoperatinginSerbia(97).
Accordingtothe2015BertelsmannStiftung’sreport,themisappropriationofpublicfundsforpoliticalparty
financing–anddistributionofthesefundstopoliticallyeligibleCSOs–continuestobeoneofthemainproblemsinthecivil-societysector(98).
TACSO,theTechnicalAssistanceforCivilSocietyOrganisationsEU-fundedproject,statedinits2016NeedsAssessmentReportonSerbiathat‘thepublicperceptionofCSOsisdeteriorating’duetothepublic’sperceptionthatCSOsdo
notsolvecitizens’majordailyproblems,togetherwiththe‘negativecampaignCSOshavebeenexposedtointhelasttwoyearsbymediaandgovernmentrepresentatives’(99).
See 5.2.3Freedomofassemblyandassociation.

2.4. Media (TV, newspapers, internet)
Serbia’sranks59thamong180countriesinthe2016RSFWorldPressFreedomindex,thehighest-rankedcountryintheWesternBalkansregion(100).
FreedomHouserankedSerbia87thonthelistof199countriesintermsoffreedomofthepressin2016,comparedto80thplacein2015.ThesourceclassifiedthemedialandscapeinSerbiaaspartlyfree(101).
ThecompetentstateauthoritiesresponsibleforthemedialandscapeinSerbiainclude(102):• MinistryofTrade,TourismandTelecommunications(103);• MinistryofCultureandInformation(104);• PublicEnterpriseBroadcastingEquipmentandCommunications(ETV)(105);• RegulatoryAgencyforElectronicCommunicationsandPostalServices(RATEL)(106);• Directoratefore-Government(107);• PressCouncil(108).
Thelegalframeworkofthemediaandtelecommunicationscanbefoundinthee-Directoryofdocumentsonmedia
regulationinSerbia(inSerbian)(109).
FreedomHousereportsthatthestateofthemediainSerbiadeclinedduetothePrimeMinisterVučić‘government’s
hostilerhetorictowardinvestigativejournalists,reportedcensorshipofjournalistsandmediaoutlets,andadecreaseintheavailabilityofcritical,independentreporting’(110).

(94) OfficeforCooperationwithCivilSociety(The),Responsibilities,n.d.
(95) EC,IPAII(2014-2020)–Serbia–CivilSocietyFacilityandMediaProgramme2014-2015,n.d.
(96) OCDoskop,n.d.
(97) OfficeforCooperationwithCivilSociety(The),Responsibilities,n.d.
(98) BertelsmannStiftung,BTI2016–SerbiaCountryReport,2016.
(99) TACSO/SIPUInternational,NeedsAssessmentReportSerbia,updated2016.
(100) ReporterswithoutBorders(RSF),WorldPressFreedomIndex2016,2016.
(101) FreedomHouse:FreedomofthePress2016,n.d.
(102) Serbia,InternationalTelecommunicationsUnion(ITU),n.d.
(103) MinistryofTrade,TourismandTelecommunications,n.d.
(104) MinistryofCultureandInformation,n.d.
(105) JPEmisionatehnikaiveze(JPETV),Onama,“Aboutus”,n.d.
(106) RegulatoryAgencyforElectronicCommunicationsandPostalServices,n.d.
(107) DirectorateforDigitalAgenda,MinistryofPublicAdministrationandLocalSelf-Government,Aboutus,n.d.
(108) PressCouncil,n.d.
(109) StrengtheningMediaFreedom,E-DirectoryofdocumentsonmediaregulationinSerbia,n.d.
(110) FreedomHouse,FreedomofthePress2016–TheBattlefortheDominantMessage,April2016.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—21

AccordingtoIREX2016MediaSustainabilityIndex,Serbiahas818printedoutlets,284radiostations,175television
stations,and334Internetnewsportals(111).
Moredetailedlistsofthemainpress,TVradioandInternetprovidersintheRepublicofSerbiacanbefoundinthe
BBCNewsprofileonSerbia(112).
Formoreinformation,see5.3.2Journalistsandmedia.

2.4.1. Television and newspapers
IREXnotesthat,followingtheconclusionofthetelevisiondigitalisationprocessin2015,anestimated95%ofthe
populationcanaccessvariousmediaproductsfreeofcharge.Onaverage,anddependingonthearea,citizensmay
accessupto20channels,includingallwithnationalcoverage(113).
Themarketforprintmediain2015hasfallenby30%comparedto2013(114).
Despitetheexistenceofover1,600registeredmediasources(115),theEP,quotingtheEuropeanFederationof
Journalists,indicatesthatanumberofworryingtrendshavebeenobserved,suchas:‘self-censorship(encouraged
byjobinsecurityandfearofretaliation),“tabloidisation”(switchingthefocusfromtopicsofpublicinterestto
entertainment andpropaganda),andimpunity (failure to properlyinvestigate crimes andattacks against
journalists)’(116).

2.4.2. Internet
AccordingtoBalkan Insight,thereisarangeofpublicandprivateInternetbasedmediainSerbia.Howevereditorial
independence,transparencyofownershipandfundingremaincriticalissuestobeaddressedinordertoprevent
politicalinterference(117).
Accordingtothe2016MediaSustainabilityIndexthereare3.6millionInternetusersinSerbia,whospendthesame
averagetimeontheInternetasonwatchingTV.Internetuseisestimatedat50%percentinSerbianhomes.Thelaw
inSerbiadoesnotrestrictaccesstotheInternet,portals,socialnetworks,applications,andcontent.Thechannels
ofmediadistributionremainapoliticalandarenotmonopolised(118).

(111) IREX,MediaSustainabilityIndex2016-TheDevelopmentofSustainableIndependentMediainEuropeandEurasia,2016.
(112) BBCNews,Serbiaprofile–Media,5August2015.
(113) IREX,MediaSustainabilityIndex2016-TheDevelopmentofSustainableIndependentMediainEuropeandEurasia,2016.
(114) IREX,MediaSustainabilityIndex2016-TheDevelopmentofSustainableIndependentMediainEuropeandEurasia,2016.
(115) IREX,MediaSustainabilityIndex2016-TheDevelopmentofSustainableIndependentMediainEuropeandEurasia,2016.
(116) EP,MediafreedomintheWesternBalkans:stateofplay,May2016.
(117) BalkanInsight,SerbianPMcallssocialmediacritics‘scum’,23August2016.
(118) IREX,Serbia,MediaSustainabilityIndex2016-TheDevelopmentofSustainableIndependentMediainEuropeandEurasia,2016.

22—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

3. Rule of Law and State Protection
3.1. Law enforcement
TheMinistryofInterioroftheRepublicofSerbia(MUP)isresponsibleforadministrationofinternalaffairsandalllawenforcementservices.Itscoreresponsibilitiesinvolveensuringsecurity,crimeprevention,counter-terrorism,
anti-corruption,drugsanddisasterprevention(119),bordercontrol,equalprotectionandfreeexerciseofcitizen’s
rightsasprovidedinlawandundertheconstitution(120).TheheadquartersoftheMinistryofInteriorarelocatedin
Belgrade,anditsstructureisorganisedaccordingtoterritorial,linearandobjectprinciplesofoperation(121).
TheMUPadministersoninternalaffairsinlinewiththeconstitution,lawsandregulationsgoverningthescopeofitsdutiesandresponsibilities(122).Furtherreformsaimedatmodernisationofthelawenforcementinstitutionsand
competentbodieshavebeenincorporatedintotheactionplansforimplementationofChapter23(123)andChapter
24 (124)oftheEUacquis.TheMUPisfocusedonthereformofhumanresources,generalpolicedirectorate,pay
system,internalcontrolandstrategicdevelopmentofanITsystemintheministry(125).

3.1.1. Police
TheDirectorateofPoliceoperateswithintheMUPandisresponsibleforlawenforcementonnationalandlocallevel.
TheLawonPoliceprovidesthelegalframeworkfortheDirectorateofPolice.TheGovernment,NationalAssembly,
andothercompetentjudicialauthoritiesandgovernmentbodiesperformtheexternalcontrolofthepolicework,
whiletheDirectorate’sSectorofInternalControlcarriesouttheinternalcontrolofthepolice(126).
TheDirectorateofPoliceisheadedbyapolicedirectorandiscomposedof15unitsatitsheadquartersand27
generalpolicedirectoratesattheregional/municipalitylevel(127).
AccordingtotheMUP,thedirectoratesattheheadquartersareasfollows:• DepartmentforimprovementofworkofGeneralPoliceDirectorate• BureauofthePoliceDirector• CriminalInvestigationsDirectorate• DirectorateforInternationalOperationalPoliceCooperation• UniformedPoliceDirectorate• SecurityUnitProtectingSpecificPersonsandFacilities,• ProtectionUnit• TraffficPoliceDirectorat• BorderPoliceDirectorate• AdministrativeAffairsDirectorate• OperationsCentre• SpecialAntiteroristUnit(119) MoI,Ministry,n.d.;Interpol,Serbia,n.d.
(120) MoI,Ministry,n.d.
(121) MoI,OrganisationoftheMinistryofInterioroftheRepublicofSerbia,n.d.
(122) PoliceAct(2016);TheLawonPublicPeaceandOrder(2016);ThePublicAssemblyAct(2016);LawonDetectiveActivity;LawonPrivateSecurity;LawonArms
andAmmunition;LawonRatificationoftheAgreementonReadmissionofPersons;ResidingbetweentheEUandtheRepublicofSerbia;LawonRoadTraffic
Safety;LawonPreventionofViolenceandMisbehavioratSportsEvents;LawonIdentityCards;Lawonemergencysituations;LawonTravelDocuments;
AliensAct;CitizenshipAct;RegulationonfeesforservicesprovidedbytheMinistryofInterior;DraftLawonForeigners;DraftLawonAsylumandTemporaryProtection,MinistryofInterioroftheRepublicofSerbia,LawsandRegulation,n.d.
(123) RepublicofSerbia-CouncilfortheimplementationoftheActionplanforChapter23,FirstreportonimplementationoftheActionPlanforChapter23(for
activitiesplanneddueforIIquarterof2016),n.d.
(124) MoI,ActionPlanforChapter24–Introduction–ChronologyofeventsinthedevelopmentoftheActionPlanforChapter24,n.d.
(125) MoI,Reforms,n.d.
(126) MoI,Jurisdictionandorganization,n.d.
(127) MoI,Organisation,n.d.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—23• Gendarmerie• SpecialAnti-TerroristUnit• HelicopterUnit• CoordinationDirectorateforKosovoandMetohija.Uniformedpolicedirectorate(128).
ThejointEU-CoEprojecton‘StrengtheningtheCapacitiesofLawEnforcementandJudiciaryintheFightagainst
CorruptioninSerbia’(PACS)statesthattheLawonPolicedoesnotclearlyregulatethe‘selection,competition,training,
deployment,evaluation/appraisal,promotion,secondmentanddismissal’processesintheSerbianpolice(129).
TheDirectorateofPolicehascooperatedwithFrontexsince2009(130),Europolsince2014(131),andaworkingarrangementwithCEPOLisundernegotiation(132).
AccordingtotheSerbianMoI,theDirectorateforPoliceEducation,ProfessionalTraining,DevelopmentAndScienceisresponsiblefortrainingpoliceofficersandmanagestwotrainingcentres,theCentreforSpecialisedTrainingand
ProfessionalDevelopment,andtheBasicPoliceTrainingCentre(133).
TheAcademyofCriminalisticandPoliceStudiesisthehigher-educationinstitutioninSerbia,whichformedwhentheAdvancedSchoolofInternalAffairsandthePoliceAcademyweremerged.Establishedin2006,itprovides
‘undergraduatestudies–basicacademicandbasicprofessional(vocational)studiesofcriminalistics;graduate
studies–academicstudies–masterandspecialiststudiesofcriminalistics’(134).
Inits2015AnnualReport,theOfficeoftheOmbudsmannotedthat,regardlessoftheprogressmade,thepolice
reformactivitieshavebeencontradictory(135).
AccordingtotheEU/CoEriskanalysisreportonlaw-enforcementcorruptioninSerbia,thereisageneralisedpublic
perceptionthatpoliceofficersarecorrupt.Suchaperceptionsuggestsofficersare‘livingalifeabovetheincomeofaservingpoliceofficer’(136).ItissupportedbyPointpulse’srecentlypublishedreportonThe Citizens’ Opinion of the
Police Force,where14%oftheSerbiansseepoliceofficersascorrupt(137).
Thesamesourcealsoindicatesthatthelevelsofconfidenceinthepolicestilldividethepopulation,with54%trustingtheforcewhile44%donot(138).
AccordingtoPointpulse’ssurvey,72%ofSerbia’scitizensconsidercorruptioninthepoliceforceiswidespread.The
sourceindicatesthat76%oftherespondentsseetrafficpoliceasthemostcorrupt,followedby67%thatbelieveitistheborderpolice.Specialunitsandunitsinchargeofadministrativeaffairsareperceivedastheleastcorrupt(139).

3.1.2. Army
AccordingtotheConstitutionofSerbia,thePresidentisinchargeoftheSerbianArmedForces(army),andofthe
appointment,promotionanddismissalofarmyofficers.Theconstitutionforeseesdemocraticandcivilcontrolofthearmy(140).
Thearmy’smainmissionistodefendthecountryfromexternalarmedthreatsanditcanonlyoperateoutside
Serbia’sborderwithNationalAssemblyapproval(141).
(128) MoI,DirectoratesattheMinistryHeadquarters,n.d.
(129) ECandCoE,RiskAnalysisontheCurrentSituationwithRegardtothePossibilitiesandActualExtentOfCorruptionwithinLawEnforcement,2015.
(130) MinistryofInterior,WorkingArrangementestablishingoperationalcooperationbetweentheEuropeanAgencyfortheManagementofOperational
CooperationattheExternalBordersoftheMemberStatesoftheEuropeanUnion(Frontex)andtheMinistryoftheInteriorofRepublicofSerbia,Belgrade,
17February2009.
(131) EUROPOL,EUROPOLsingscooperationagreementwithSerbiatofightorganizedcrime,EuropeanPoliceOffice(EUROPOL),17January2014.
(132) CEPOL,Externalpartners,n.d.,EuropeanUnionAgencyforLawEnforcementTraining(CEPOL),n.d.
(133) MoI,DirectorateForPoliceEducation,ProfessionalTraining,DevelopmentAndScience,n.d.
(134) AcademyofCriminalisticandPoliceStudies(The),n.d.
(135) OmbudsmanofSerbia,RegularAnnualReportoftheProtectorofCitizensfor2015,15March2016,p.15.
(136) ECandCoE,RiskAnalysisontheCurrentSituationwithRegardtothePossibilitiesandActualExtentOfCorruptionwithinLawEnforcement,2015.
(137) Pointpulse.net,TheCitizens’OpinionofthePoliceForce,September2016.
(138) Pointpulse.net,TheCitizens’OpinionofthePoliceForce,September2016.
(139) Pointpulse.net,TheCitizens’OpinionofthePoliceForce,September2016.
(140) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(141) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.

24—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

Thearmybuildsandmaintainspeace,intheregionandglobally,andprovidessupportduringnaturaldisastersand
catastrophes(142).AccordingtoNATO,Serbiapursuesapolicyofneutrality,adoptedin2007.Serbiaisnotamemberof NATO (143).
Thearmyactsinaccordancewiththelegalframeworkgoverningitsremit,andenvisagedin:• LawonDefence;• LawonSerbianArmedForces;• LawonAmendmentstotheLawonDefence;• LawonAmendmentstotheLawonSerbianArmedForces;• LawonEngagementofSerbianArmedForcesandotherDefenceForcesoutsidetheRepublicofSerbia
borders(144);• LawonMilitarySecurityAgencyandMilitaryIntelligenceAgency;• LawonConscription,CompulsoryLabourandRequisition;• LawonCivilianService(145);• Relevantinternationallaws.
Thearmyisorganisedaccordingtoarms,branchesandservices.ThemainarmsoftheSerbianArmedForcesaretheArmy,theAirForcesandAirDefense(146).ThearmyisheadedbytheChiefofGeneralStaff(147),whilethe
JointOperationsCommandisresponsibleformanagingtheoperationalcommandofthearmyandforpreparing
documentsandplansfortheoperationalunits(148).Serbiadoesnothavecompulsorymilitaryservice;thearmy
consolidatesitsranksbyconductingprofessionalrecruitment,voluntarycallsandcallinguponreserveforcesthat
havealreadyservedinthearmy(149).
InFebruary2016,SerbiaadoptedtheLawonRatificationoftheAgreementbetweentheGovernmentoftheRepublic
ofSerbiaandtheNATOSupportandProcurementOrganization(NSPO)onLogisticSupportCooperation.AccordingtoZoranDragisic,professorattheFacultyofSecurityStudiesatBelgradeUniversity,quotedbytheDeutscheWelle
(DW),theagreementisonlytheconfirmationofpreviousagreements.AccordingtoDW,the‘partoftheagreement
thathasbeenmostheavilycriticizedistheclausethatgivesNATOtroopsdiplomaticstatus,immunityfromcriminal
liabilityandtaxes,andaccesstoSerbianmilitaryfacilities’.Thisaccentuatesthedifferencesbetweensupporters
oftheWestandsupportersofRussia.DragisicstressesthatSerbiahasclearlystatedthatitwillnotjoinNATO(150).

3.1.3. Security-intelligence forces
DuringSlobodanMilosevic’sregime,thesecurity-intelligencesystemofSerbiawasimplicatedinrepressivemeasures
towardstheoppositionandthemedia(151)whichculminatedintheassassinationofthePrimeMinisterZoranDjindjic
in2003(152).
The2015AnnualReportoftheSerbOmbudsmannotesthatthesecretsecuritysector’sreformshavenotgonefar
enoughtoensuredemocraticcivilianoversightofitsactivities(153).
Accordingtothesamesource,thereispoliticalmonopolisationofthesecretservicesector(154).

(142) SerbianArmedForces,TheArmedForcesofSerbia,n.d.(143) NATO,RelationswithSerbia,9December2015.
(144) Legaldocuments,SerbianArmedForces,n.d.
(145) MinistryofDefenseoftheRepublicofSerbia,Acts,n.d.(146) SerbianArmedForces,Militaryarms,branchesandservices,n.d.
(147) SerbianArmedForces,SerbianArmedForcesstructure,n.d.
(148) SerbianArmedForces,Organizacija,GeneralštabVojskeSrbije,n.d.
(149) MinistryofForeignAffairsoftheRepublicofSerbia,Militaryservice,n.d.
(150) DeutscheWelle,SerbiacaughtbetweenNATOandRussia,26February2016.
(151) BalkanInsight,Serbianex-SecurityChiefdodgesjournalistmurdertrial,19May2016.
(152) FreedomHouse,Serbia–Nationsintransit2005,ExecutiveSummary,n.d.
(153) BalkanInsight,SerbianSecurityAgencyoutofcontrol,Ombudsman,17March2016.
(154) BalkanInsight,SerbianSecurityAgencyoutofcontrol,Ombudsman,17March2016.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—25

Balkan Insightreportedthattherewaspoliticalpressuretodiscourageinvestigationsagainsthigh-rankingarmy
officials(155)andtopreventtheopeningofsecretfilesfromthe1990swars(156).
Thesecurity-intelligencesystemofSerbiacomprisesthefollowingorganisations:• SecurityInformationAgency(BIA);• MilitarySecurityAgency(MSA);• MilitaryIntelligenceAgency(MIA)(157).
TheBIAisacivilnationalsecurityserviceformedin2002andhasindependentstate-authorityandlegal-entitystatus.
TheGovernmentisinchargeoftheappointmentofBIA’sdirector.TheLawontheSecurityInformationAgency,
andtheLawontheBasesRegulatingSecurityServicesoftheRepublicofSerbiaregulatethemaincompetenciesof
BIA(158).BIA’smainresponsibilitiesinclude:• OverseeingsecurityinSerbia;• DetectionandpreventionofactivitiesaimedatunderminingordisruptingorderinSerbia;• Research,gathering,processingandassessmentofsecurity-intelligencedataandfindingssignificantforsecurity
in Serbia (159).
AccordingtotheLawonBIA,itsmembersmaynotbeaffiliatedwithpoliticalparties,anddonothavetherighttoorganiseorcarryoutstrikes.MembersofBIAareobligedtosecrecy,whichcanbeonlywaivedbyBIA’sdirector(160).
UnlikeBIA,theMSAandtheMIAareadministrativebodieswithintheMinistryofDefence.Thelegalframeworkis
commontobothmilitaryagencies(161).
MSAandMIA’sdirectors(ifmilitarypersonnel)areappointedbythepresidentuponproposalbytheministerof
defence.Non-militarypersonnelareappointedbytheGovernmentonproposalbytheministerofdefence.Directors
managetheworkofMSAandMIAandareaccountabletotheministerofdefence.Staffinbothagenciesaremainly
militarypersonnel.(162).
TheMSAisresponsibleforsecurityandcounter-intelligenceprotectionundertheremitoftotheMinistryofDefenceandtheArmyofSerbia;preventionofterroristandorganised-crimeactivities;preventionofcriminalactivities;and
preventionofviolationofhumanitarianandinternationallaw,ifactshavebeenperpetuatedbypersonnelofthe
MinistryofDefenceorthearmyofSerbia(163).
MIAisresponsibleforoperationalintelligenceanddiplomacyinthefieldofdefence,involvingintelligenceactivities,
viathecollection,analysisandassessmentofmilitary,military/politicalandmilitary/economicdataandinformation.
(Thefocusisonforeignthreats:theproliferationofweaponsandmilitaryequipment,andterrorism)(164).

3.1.4. Corruption
TheEuropeanCommissioninits2016Communicationstatesthatalthoughthecountryhas‘somelevelofpreparation’
inthepreventionofandfightagainstcorruption,‘corruptionremainstprevalentinmanyareasandcontinuesto
be a serious problem’ (165).TheCommissionaddsthat‘theinstitutionalsetupisnotyetfunctioningasacredible
deterrentforcorruptivepractices’,and‘atrackrecordofeffectiveinvestigations,prosecutionsandconvictionsin
corruptioncasesisrequired,includingathighlevel’(166).

(155) BalkanInsight,Serbia’sleadersfindnew‘enemieswithin’,23February2015.
(156) BalkanInsight,Serbianministriesblockpublicaccesstowarfiles,8April2016.
(157) BIA,LawontheBasesRegulatingSecurityServicesoftheRepublicof,11December2007.
(158) SecurityInformationAgency(BIA)oftheRepublicofSerbia,Legalframework,n.d.
(159) SecurityInformationAgency(BIA),Sphereofactivity,n.d.
(160) BCSP,Analizapravnoguređenjaobaveštajno-bezbednosnogsistemaRepublikeSrbije,“Analysisofthelegalplanningofintelligence-securitysystemofthe
RepublicofSerbia”,Prof.BogoljubMilosavljevic,June2016.
(161) MilitaryIntelligenceAgency(VOA),ConstitutionandLaws,n.d.
(162) BCSP,Analizapravnoguređenjaobaveštajno-bezbednosnogsistemaRepublikeSrbije,“Analysisofthelegalplanningofintelligence-securitysystemofthe
RepublicofSerbia”,Prof.BogoljubMilosavljevic,June2016.
(163) MilitarySecurityAgency(VBA),Hадлежност,пословиизадаци,“Competencies,dutiesandtasks”,n.d.
(164) MilitaryIntelligenceAgency(VOA),Competences,n.d.
(165) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20.
(166) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20-21.

26—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

TheEU-SerbiaJointConsultativeCommittee’sreportontheruleoflawandanti-corruptionintheEUandnegotiationswithSerbiarecommendsthatthecountryneedsto‘improveinvestigationandprosecutionofcorruptionandorganisedcrime’,bydefininga‘merit-basedselectionofseniorpositionsinthepoliceandprosecutorialservice’ (167).
Thesourcewritesthatinvestigationsshouldproceedwithoutpoliticalinterference,thusending‘thecurrentpracticeofselectiveprosecutionofonlypoliticalopponents’(168).
Suchmeasuresarenecessarytoestablisha‘trackrecordofinvestigations,indictmentsandfinalconvictionsinhighlevelcorruptioncases,includingthoserelatingtorulingparties’(169).
In2015,TransparencyInternational’sCorruptionPerceptionsIndexrankedSerbia71stoutof168countries(170),
comparedto78thrankoutof175countriesin2014(171).
TheAnti-CorruptionAgencyofSerbia(ACA)isthemainauthorityresponsibleforfightingcorruptioninthecountry.
TheACAisanautonomous,independentstateauthorityestablishedin2009,governedbytheLawontheAntiCorruptionAgency(172).
TheACAmonitorstheimplementationoftheNationalAnti-CorruptionStrategy2013-2018adoptedbytheNational
Assemblyin2013,andtheActionPlanfortheImplementationoftheNationalAnti-CorruptionStrategy2013-2018
adoptedbytheGovernmentin2013,thetwomaininstrumentsforfightingcorruptioninthecountry(173).Theagency
issuesopinionsanddirectivesfortheenforcementoftheanti-corruptionactionplans(174).
AccordingtotheInternationalRepublicanInstitute’sJuly2015surveyontheperceptionofcorruptioninSerbia,
85%ofthecitizensstatedthatcorruptionconstitutesa‘veryseriousproblem’inSerbia.Whenquestionedonhow
theGovernmentdealswithit,41%said‘thegovernmentisdoingwhattheycan,buttheproblemissoseverethat
theyarenotprogressingmuch’and31%oftheintervieweesbelievestheGovernmentis‘justpretendingtofight
corruptionandareactuallynotdoinganything’(175).

3.1.5. Fight against organised crime
TheServiceforCombatingOrganizedCrime(SBPOK)isthemainauthorityresponsibleforfightingorganisedcrimeinSerbia.Itwasfoundedin2011andoperateswithintheCriminalPolice(UKP)oftheMoI(176).
TheSBPOKtacklesdrugtrafficking,illegalmigrationandhumantrafficking,smugglingofweaponsandexplosives,internationalsmugglingofstolenmotorvehicles,kidnappingandextortion,blackmail,moneylaundering,corruption,
counterfeitingofcurrencies,cardpaymentfraudandcybercrime.TheSBPOKperformsitsdutiesinaccordancewiththeLawofPolice,theCriminalCode,andtheCriminalProceduresCode(177).
AccordingtotheLawonOrganizationandJurisdictionofGovernmentAuthoritiesinSuppressionofOrganizedCrime,
theinstitutionsresponsibleforthetreatmentofcriminalcasesare:• Prosecutor’sOfficeforOrganisedCrime;• ServiceforCombatingOrganizedCrime(SBPOK);• SpecialDepartmentoftheHighCourtforOrganizedCrime;• SpecialDepartmentoftheAppellateCourtforOrganizedCrime;• SpecialDetentionUnitoftheDetentionPrisoninBelgrade(178).

(167) EESC,EU-SerbiaCivilSocietyJointConsultativeForum,JointReport,Ruleoflawandanti-corruptionintheEUandnegotiationswithSerbia,4February2016.
(168) EESC,EU-SerbiaCivilSocietyJointConsultativeForum,JointReport,Ruleoflawandanti-corruptionintheEUandnegotiationswithSerbia,4February2016.
(169) EESC,EU-SerbiaCivilSocietyJointConsultativeForum,JointReport,Ruleoflawandanti-corruptionintheEUandnegotiationswithSerbia,4February2016.
(170) TransparencyInternational,CorruptionPerceptionsIndex2015,n.d.
(171) TransparencyInternational,CorruptionPerceptionIndex2014,n.d.
(172) Anti-CorruptionAgencyoftheRepublicofSerbia,Competencies,n.d.
(173) ACA,ReportontheimplementationoftheNationalAnti-CorruptionStrategyintheRS,March2015.
(174) Anti-CorruptionAgencyoftheRepublicofSerbia,Competencies,n.d.
(175) InternationalRepublicanInstitute,SurveyofSerbianPublicOpinion,4July2015.
(176) MoI,Službazaborbuprotivorganizovanogkriminala,“ServiceforCombatingOrganisedCrime”,Contentarchivefrom29.08.2009to11.04.2016,n.d.
(177) MoI,Službazaborbuprotivorganizovanogkriminala,“ServiceforCombatingOrganisedCrime”,Contentarchivefrom29.08.2009to11.04.2016,n.d.
(178) Article10-15,LawonOrganizationandJurisdictionofGovernmentAuthoritiesinSuppressionofOrganizedCrime,CorruptionandotherSeverOffences,Publishedin“OfficialGazetteoftheRepublicofSerbia”,No.42/2002,27/2003,39/2003,67/2003,29/2004,58/2004-SeparateLaw,45/2005,61/2005,
72/2009,72/2011-separateLawand101/2011–separateLaw,MinistryofJusticeoftheRepublicofSerbia,n.d.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—27

SpecialoperationsandtacticalunitsoftheMoI–theSpecialAnti-TerroristUnit(SAJ)(179)andtheGendarmerie(180)–arealsoresponsibleforpreventingandcombatingterrorism.Anewdraft,LawonOrganizationandJurisdictionof
GovernmentAuthoritiesinSuppressionofOrganizedCrime,isexpectedtobepresentedtotheNationalAssembly(181).
TheEC2016CommunicationonSerbiastatesthatthecountryattained‘somelevelofpreparation’inthefight
againstorganisedcrime(182).Inparticular,Serbiahasmade‘someprogress’withtheadoptionofanewpolicelaw,
thereorganisationoftheMinistryoftheInteriorandtheadoptionofthefirstseriousandorganisedcrimethreat
assessment(SOCTA)basedonEuropolmethodology(183).Inits2015Communication,theCommissionhadwelcomedtheestablishmentofnewDNAandchemistrylaboratories,aswellasSerbia’sactivecontributiontointernationaland
regionalcooperation,andtheadoptionofstrategiesforthefightagainstmoneylaunderingandterrorismfinancing,
andfinancialinvestigation(184).Boththe2015and2016Communicationsmention,however,that‘acredibletrack
recordinthefightagainstorganisedcrimestillneedstobeestablished’(185).
MediasourceshavereportedSerbia’seffortstocombatdrugtraffickingandassociatedviolencein2016(186),aswellastheabsenceofcourtverdictsinhigh-profiledrugtraffickers’trials(187).

3.2. Judiciary
AccordingtotheSerbianConstitution,thejudiciaryisindependentfromthelegislativeandexecutivebranches(188).
TheLawonCourts,theLawonSeatsandTerritoriesofCourtsandPublicProsecutorsOffices,andtheLawonJudges
completethelegalframeworkregulatingthejudicialpowerandtheremitofthecourtsinSerbia(189).
Judgesholdjudicialpowerandcannotparticipateinpoliticalactivities.Theindependenceofjudgesissubordinated
onlytotheconstitutionandthelaw.TheHighJudicialCouncilisanindependentandautonomousbodyincharge
ofguaranteeingtheindependenceandautonomyofjudicialpower(190).
Ajudge’sofficeispermanent,exceptforthefirstappointment,whenthetermisthreeyears.Judgeselectedforthe
firsttimeareappointedbytheNationalAssemblyfollowingaproposaloftheHighJudicialCouncil(191).Permanent
judgesareelectedbytheHighJudicialCouncil,thebodyalsochargedwiththeterminationofjudicialoffice(192).
AccordingtotheBertelsmannStiftungTransformationIndex2016report,Serbia’sjudiciary‘operatesrelatively
independently’,however‘itsfunctionsarestillrestrictedbypoliticalinfluence,inefficiency,nepotism,cronyism
andcorruption’(193).
Thereportalsonotesthelegallyflawedattemptstofightcorruptioninthelegalsystem,suchasthereappointment
ofjudgesandprosecutorswhohadbeenpreviouslydismissed,andthelackof‘comprehensiveevaluationofjudges
andprosecutors’(194).
The2016ECCommunicationonSerbiareportsthatalthoughSerbia’sjudicialsystem‘hasreachedsomelevelof
preparation’andtakensomestepstopromoteamerit-basedrecruitmentsystemandharmonisejurisprudence,

(179) MoI,Specijalnaantiterorističkajedinica(SAJ),“SpecialAnti-terroristUnit”,Contentarchivefrom29.08.2009to11.04.2016,n.d.
(180) MoI,Žandarmerija,“Gendarmerie”,Contentarchivefrom29.08.2009to11.04.2016,n.d.
(181) Politika,Oficiritužilaštvaudržavniminstitucijama,“Prosecutionofficialsinstateinstitutions”,21August2016.
(182) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20.
(183) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20.
(184) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementStrategy2015,10November2015,p.20.
(185) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20;EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementStrategy2015,10November
2015,p.20.
(186) MoI,Uakciji„Cunami“uhapšeno66osobaizaplenjeno5,7kilogramanarkotika,“Intheoperation“Tsunami,”arrested66peopleandseized5.7kilograms
ofnarcotics”,11September2016;EUROPOL,SerbiancriminalnetworkdismantledinSpainandtheCzechRepublic,9March2016.
(187) OCCRP,Serbia:CourtacceptsindictmentagainstmanlabeleddrugbossbyPM,23August2016;OCCRP,Serbia:CourtquashesconvictionofassociateofdruglordSaric,12July2016.
(188) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(189) SupremeCourtofCassationoftheRepublicofSerbia,Constitutionalandlegalprovisions,n.d.
(190) SupremeCourtofCassationoftheRepublicofSerbia,Guarantorofindependenceandautonomyofjudicialpower,n.d.,(191) SupremeCourtofCassationoftheRepublicofSerbia,Constitutionalandlegalprovisions,n.d.
(192) SupremeCourtofCassationoftheRepublicofSerbia,Constitutionalandlegalprovisions,n.d.
(193) BertelsmannStiftung,BTI2016–BiHCountryReport,2016.
(194) BertelsmannStiftung,BTI2016–BiHCountryReport,2016.

28—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

itisstillsubjecttopoliticalinfluence.Anunevendistributionofworkload,aburdensomecasebacklogandlackofafreelegalaidsystemaresaidtounderminethejudiciary’squalityandefficiency’(195).ProgressreportedintheCommission’s2015CommunicationrelatedtonewrulesoftheevaluationofjudgesandprosecutorswhichwereadoptedinMay2015,andtheappointmentofmostCourtPresidentsonapermanentbasis(196).
DespitetheadoptionoftheUnifiedBacklogReductionProgram2013-2018(197),theACAreportedthatbytheend
of2015therewere2,837,468pendingcourtcases,comparabletothe2,849,360bytheendof2014.Suchfigures,
accordingtotheACA,raisedoubtsaboutthescopeandcapacityofthereformtostrengthenjudicialefficiency(198).
JelisavetaVasilic,amemberoftheACAquotedbyBalkan Insight,indicatesthatalthoughimprovingtheruleoflawand
thefunctioningofthejudicialsystemisakeytaskinSerbia’sEUaccessionprocess‘morethan80percentofbillsare
adoptedbyurgentprocedurewithoutpublicdebate,whichisextremelybadpractice’.VasilicCouncilalsonotedthat:‘Despitethesmallpositivestepsthathavebeenmadeinthejudiciary,thegovernmentcontinuestoviolatethe
presumptionofinnocence,citizenshavenoequalaccesstojusticeandthelackoftransparencyisomnipresent’(199).
Accordingtothe2015GRECOEvaluationReportonSerbia,asurveyshowedthat63%oftherespondentsdidnot
trustthejudiciary(200).
TheNationalJudicialReformStrategy2013-2018isthemainguidingdocumentforstrengtheningtheindependenceandaccountabilityofthejudiciaryinSerbia.ThereformstrategyisalignedtotheNationalPlanfortheAdoptionoftheEUAcquis(NPAA)(201).
Courts system
TheLawonOrganizationofCourtsregulatestheorganisationoftheSerbiancourtsystem,whichisdividedinto
twocategories:• Courtsofgeneraljurisdictionand• Courtsofspecialjurisdiction(202).
Courtsofgeneraljurisdictionaredividedintobasic,higher,appellateandtheSupremeCourtofCassation.Thecourts
ofspecialjurisdictionincludecommercialcourtsandtheCommercialAppellateCourt,misdemeanorcourtsandtheMisdemeanorAppellateCourt,andtheAdministrativeCourt(203).
TheConstitutionalCourt’sjurisdictionstemsfromtheconstitution;thecourtisalsotheguardianandpreserveroftheconstitution.TheConstitutionalCourtisanautonomousandindependentstateauthorityinchargeofrectifyinganygapsintheprotectionofhumanrightsthatmayresultfromactionstakenbycourtsofgeneralandspecial
jurisdiction(204).
ThejurisdictioninKosovoandMetohijaisexercisedbycourtsinKosovskaMitrovica(205).

(195) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.20.
(196) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementStrategy2015,10November2015,p.19.
(197) SupremeCourtofCassationoftheRepublicofSerbia,UnifiedBacklogReductionProgram,n.d.
(198) Anti-CorruptionCounciloftheGovernmentoftheRepublicofSerbia,ReportontheCurrentStateinJudiciary,22March2016.
(199) BalkanInsight,ReportlamentsfailingsinSerbianjudiciary,17May2016.
(200) CoE,GRECO,EvaluationReportSerbia–Fourthevaluationround-Corruptionpreventioninrespectofmembersofparliament,judgesandprosecutors,2
July2015.
(201) SupremeCourtofCassationoftheRepublicofSerbia,NationalJudicialReformStrategy,n.d.
(202) MinistryofJustice,LawonOrganizationofCourts,1January2010.
(203) SupremeCourtofCassationoftheRepublicofSerbia,Constitutionalandstatutoryprovisions,n.d.
(204) SupremeCourtofCassationoftheRepublicofSerbia,PraksaUstavnogSuda,“PracticeoftheConstitutionalCourt”,n.d.
(205) SupremeCourtofCassationoftheRepublicofSerbia,Listofcourts,n.d.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—29

4. Security situation
SerbiaoccupiesastrategicpositionintheregionalsecurityscenariooftheWesternBalkans,andwhilearegional
securityoutlookremainsstabletherehasbeenanoticeabledeteriorationofbilateralrelationswithCroatia(206)andBosniaandHerzegovina(BiH)(207)since2015.Serbia’srelationshipwithKosovoandAlbaniaremainscomplex,
andstrainedbyrecenthistoryaswellasaspirationsforfurtherregionalconsolidationalongethno-politicallines.
Inits2016Communication,theEuropeanCommissionhighlightedSerbia’sconstructiveparticipationinregional
initivesanditsresolveto‘improveitsbilateralissuesandthelegaciesofthepast’.TheCommissionwelcomedthe
signatureofajointdeclarationwithCroatiaonsomebilateralissuesinJune2016asapositivedevelopment.AsregardsnormalizationofrelationswithKosovo,progresswaslimited,butwiththestartoftheworkontheMitrovica
bridgeandfreedomofmovementinAugust2016‘momentumwasregained’(208).In2015,achievementsincluded
agreementsonenergy,telecoms,andestablishmentoftheAssociation/CommunityofSerbmajoritymunicipalities,
inadditiontosomeconcreteresultsinthefieldofjustice,civilprotectionintegration,vehicleinsurance,customs
collectionandIBM(209).
Serbia’ssecurityrelationshipwithBulgaria,Hungary,Macedonia,MontenegroandRomaniaremainsstableand,
withtheexceptionofthesecuritychallenges(210)posedbytheongoingirregularmigrationalongtheEasternMediterraneanroute,andthesubsequenttransitoryrouteofmigrantsviatheWesternBalkantotheEU,therearenoothermajorsecuritychallengeswithpotentialtogeneratetensionswithintheregion.TheEuropeanCommission
estimatedthat,in2015,morethan815,000refugeesandmigrantsprimarilyfromSyria,AfghanistanandIraqpassed
throughSerbia(211).
Othernotablesecuritychallengesinvolve:• RecruitmentandmobilisationoffightersfrompredominantlyMuslim-dominatedregionsinSerbia(Sanǆak)
anditsimmediateneighbourhood(Bosnia,AlbaniaandKosovo),andtheirparticipationinwarsinIraqand
SyriawithterroristgroupssuchastheIslamicStateofIraqandSyria(ISIS)(212);• UndocumentedreturnoffightersandtheirpotentialtoactasthecatalystforfurtherradicalisationofMuslim
communitiesacrosstheregion;• Interlinksbetweentheregionalcriminalandterroristsnetworks,andconnectiontothetransnationalterrorist
counterparts;• ThespreadofWahhabism(213),influenceofradicalisedimams(214)(215)andassociatedmadrasas;• PresenceofalargestockpileofconventionalarmamentsfromtheBalkanwarsinthe1990s(216),whichhas
beenusedforconflictsinSyriaandIraqandduringtheterroristattacksinFrance(217).
TheWesternBalkans’BerlinProcessinitiatedbyGermanyin2014providedthediplomaticforumforAlbania,Bosnia
andHerzegovina(BiH),theformerYugoslavRepublicofMacedonia,Kosovo,MontenegroandSerbiatounitearoundthecommongoalofeventuallyjoiningtheEU,whileworkingtowardsresolutionofpoliticaldisputesanddivisions,
andstrengtheningofmutualcooperationthroughinfrastructuralprojectsratherthanfomentingfurtherpolitical
instabilityamidastagnanteconomicsituationintheregion(218).

(206) B92,Region’sstabilityisendangered,saysSerbianPM,29August2016.
(207) BalkanInsight,SerbiaPMSrebrenicaattack‘stillunderinvestigation’,29August2016.
(208) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.12.
(209) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementStrategy2015,10November2015,p.20.
(210) WashingtonPost(The),TracingthepathoffourterroristssenttoEuropebytheIslamicState,22April2016.
(211) ECHO,Serbia:refugeecrisis,Factsheet,April2016.
(212) BalkanInsight,ISISposesthreattoBalkans,Ministerssay,29July2016.
(213) Reuters,Serbia,BosniaraidIslamistsafterU.S.embassyattack,29October2011.
(214) Reuters,KosovoimamsarrestedinpushtostopfightersgoingtoSyria,Iraq,17September2014.
(215) RadioFreeEurope–RadioLiberty,Kosovobringschargesagainstfourimams,Islamicpartyleader,17September2016.
(216) EEAS,ThefightagainstexcessiveaccumulationandillicittraffickingofSALWandtheirammunition,n.d.
(217) SpiegelOnlineInternational,HowEUfailureshelpedParisterroristsobtainweapons,24March2016.
(218) EuropeanParliament,TheWesternBalkans’Berlinprocess:Anewimpulseforregionalcooperation,4July2016.

30—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

Inits2016Communication,theEChightlightedthat‘Serbia’sleadingroleintheregionisinstrumentalinimproving
regionaltiesandpreservingstability.Serbiahasbeenaffectedbythemigrationcrisisandplayedanactiveand
constructiveroleandcooperatedwithneighbouringcountriesandMemberStateswhilemanagingmixedmigration
flows’.(219)(219) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.12.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—31

5. Human rights situation
5.1. Legal context and institutional framework
TheSerbianconstitutionguaranteesfundamentalhumanandminorityrights,includingfreedomofthoughtand
conscience,expression,religion,movement,assembly,association,equality,andprohibitionofdiscriminationagainst
nationalminorities(220).AccordingtotheSectionIIoftheConstitutionofSerbia,humanandminorityrightsand
freedomsaredividedintothreeparts:• FundamentalPrinciples(Art.18-22);• HumanRightsandFreedoms(Art.23-74)and• RightsofPersonsBelongingtoNationalMinorities(Art75-81)(221).
Theconstitutionprovidesforawiderangeofhumanrightsthatareinlinewithinternationalstandards.However,its
provisionsaredeemedambiguousastheydonotprovidesufficientguaranteefortherights‘toadequatehousing,
foodorwater’,northeyaddressissuessuchas‘genderequality’and‘discriminationagainstwomen’(222).
SerbiaratifiedthecoreinternationalHumanRightsinstruments–theInternationalConventionontheElimination
ofallFormsofRacialDiscrimination,theInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights,theConventionAgainst
TortureortheConventionontheRightsoftheChild(223).
ThemainindependenthumanrightsauthoritiesoperatinginSerbiaare:theCommissionerforInformationofPublic
Importance,theProtectorofCitizensortheOmbudsmanofSerbia,theAnti-CorruptionAgencyandtheCommissioner
forProtectionofEquality.Theseinstitutionsreporttheirfindingsandrecommendationsintheirannualreports,
whicharesubmittedtotheNationalAssemblyanddistributedtothecompetentparliamentarycommittees.Thereisnoformalmechanismtoguaranteethattheirrecommendationsarebindingtothepublicauthoritiesandactorstowhichtheyrefer(224).

5.1.1. Ombudsman of Serbia
TheOmbudsmanofSerbiaisanindependentandautonomousgovernmentbody,responsiblefortheprotection
andpromotionofrightsandliberties,especiallyinthefieldofnationalminorityrights,childrenrights,rightsofthe
disabled,rightsofpeopledeprivedoflibertyandgenderrights(225).TheOmbudsmanisalsoresponsibleforensuringthathumanfreedomsandrightsareprotectedandpromoted(226).
TheOmbudsmanactsaccordingtotheconstitution,theLawontheProtectorofCitizens(227),andabidesequallyby‘theratifiedinternationaltreatiesandgenerallyacceptedrulesofinternationallaw’(228).
AccordingtotheOmbudsmanannualreport2015,theconstitutionallyguaranteedindependenceoftheOmbudsmanhasbeen‘undermined’bytheNationalAssemblythroughitsattemptstocontroltheinstitution’sautonomy(229).
ReferringtotheroleoftheOmbudsmaninthegovernment’saccountability,the2015ECCommunicationstated
thatcooperationbetweentheauthoritiesandtheindependentregulatorybodiesandtheOmbudsmanshouldbe
furtherimproved(230).

(220) GovernmentofSerbia,ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,8November2006.
(221) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.
(222) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.
(223) UNHumanRights,OfficeoftheHighCommissioner,StatusofVerification,Serbia,updatedatleasteverysixmonths.
(224) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2014,2015.
(225) OmbudsmanofSerbia,RoleandFunction,27May2012.
(226) OSCE,LawontheprotectorofCitizens,October2005.
(227) OSCE,LawontheprotectorofCitizens,October2005.
(228) OmbudsmanofSerbia,RegularAnnualReportoftheProtectorofCitizensfor2015,15March2016.
(229) OmbudsmanofSerbia,RegularAnnualReportoftheProtectorofCitizensfor2015,15March2016.
(230) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementStrategy2015,10November2015,p.19.

32—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

TheSerbianOmbudsmanhasbeenundersignificantpressurefromtheGovernmentandtherulingSerbianProgressivePartyaftertheeventsofthe2014PrideParade(231).AtthiseventthePrimeMinister’sbrother,thebrotherofthemayorofBelgradeandtwomilitarypoliceofficersaccompanyingthemclashedwiththeGendarmerie.The
OmbudsmanfiledcriminalreportsagainstthetwomilitarypoliceofficersforassaultontheGendarmerieofficers.
Additionally,theOmbudsmanrequestedaccesstotheMilitaryIntelligenceAgency’s(VBA)documentationand
information,whichwasrejected(232).TheOmbudsmanlaterdeclaredthathehadinformationconfirmingthat‘the
VBAwasillegallymonitoringpoliticians,judgesandtradeunionactivists’(233).Sincethen,therehasbeenafull-scale
campaignagainsttheOmbudsman,whohasbeencriticised,insultedandevenaccusedofbeingastateenemy(234).

5.1.2. Ministry of Justice
AccordingtotheofficialwebsiteoftheMinistryofJustice,theMinistrytookovertheformermandateand
responsibilitiesoftheMinistryofHumanandMinorityRights,PublicAdministrationandLocalSelf-Government,
includingofthejurisdictionintheareaofhumanandminorityrights.Italsotookovertheroleandresponsibilities
oftheMinistryofReligionandDiaspora,thusexercisingitsjurisdictionintheareaofchurchesandreligious
communities(235).

5.2. General situation
AccordingtotheBelgradeCentreforHumanRights,someoftheareasthatraiseconcernandaffecttheoverallhumanrightssituationinSerbiapertainto:risksposedbypovertyandaccesstosocialservicesandfinancialbenefits;thesustainabilityofthehealthsectorduetoshortageoffundsandhealthprofessionals;domesticviolence;political
pressuresdirectedattheindependentregulatoryauthorities,andpoliticalinterferenceinjudiciary,andinfluence
onthemediaandthefreedomofexpression;ensuringtheenforcementoftheNationalStrategyfortheProsecution
ofWarCrimes2016-2020(236);preventionofunlawfuldetentionandtorture;integrationofvulnerablegroupsand
preventionofdiscrimination(i.e.Roma,LGBTpersons,personswithdisabilitiesandwithHIV/AIDS);ensuringstate
supportinprovidingreligiousservicesindifferentminoritylanguages(i.e.VlachandRomanianminorityineastSerbia);upholdingthelabourrightsofworkers(237).
Onthegeneralhumanrightssituation,theCivilRightsDefenders,aSwedishinternationalhumanrightsorganisation
withofficeinBelgrade,statesthat:‘Theopeningofthenegotiationshasnotimprovedthesituationinregardstohumanrights;thesituationhaseven
deterioratedincomparisonto2014,particularlyintheareasoffreedomofexpression,independentregulatory
bodies,judicialreformandnationalminorities.
Thesituationforminoritiesremainsprecarious,notleastforRomaandLGBTpeople.[…]Serbianmediaismoving
furtherawayfromtheirpurposetoinformthepublicandisinsteadcontinuouslybecomingmoreofanobvious
politicaltoolusedtoinfluencepublicopinion’(238).
TheEuropeanCommissioninits2016Communicationnoted,however,thatalthoughthelegalandinstitutional
frameworkfortherespectoffundamentalrightsisinplace,‘consistentimplementationacrossthecountryneeds
tobeensured,includingasregardsprotectionofminorities’(239).ThesameCommunicationidentifiesthefollowing
groupsasthemostdiscriminated:‘Roma,lesbian,gay,bisexual,transgenderandintersexpersons,personswith
disabilities,personswithHIV/AIDSandothersociallyvulnerablegroups’(240).

(231) CEAS,Serbia’sAngryLeadersTurnonOmbudsman,29April2015.
(232) CEAS,Serbia’sAngryLeadersTurnonOmbudsman,29April2015.
(233) CEAS,Serbia’sAngryLeadersTurnonOmbudsman,29April2015.
(234) CEAS,Serbia’sAngryLeadersTurnonOmbudsman,29April2015.
(235) RepublicofSerbia,MinistryofJustice,Jurisdictions,obligationsandcompetencesoftheMinistry,n.d.
(236) OfficeoftheWarCrimesProsecutor,NationalStrategyfortheProsecutionofWarCrimes2016-2020,January2016.
(237) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.
(238) CivilRightsDefenders,HumanRightsinSerbia,updated8June2016.
(239) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.21.
(240) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.21.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—33

Inits2016humanrightsreportonSerbia,theCivilRightsDefendersstressthatpoliticalpartyrepresentatives,
religiousrepresentatives,extremistgroups,severalmediaoutletsandindividualshaveincreasinglyusedhatespeech
againstRoma,nationalminorities,humanrightsactivistsandrepresentativesofindependentregulatorybodies(241).

5.2.1. Freedom of expression and information
Freedomofthoughtandexpressionareguaranteedbyarticle46oftheSerbianConstitution,alongsidewiththe
freedomtoinformation,ideasandspeech.Thesamearticleforeseesthatthefreedomofexpressionmayberestricted
‘toprotectrightsandreputationofothers,toupholdtheauthorityandobjectivityofthecourtandtoprotectpublic
health,moralsofademocraticsocietyandnationalsecurityoftheRepublicofSerbia’(242).
AccordingtotheBelgradeCentreforHumanRights,‘Itisunclearwhatisexactlyimpliedby“moralsofademocraticsociety”’(243).
Theexistinglawdoesnotprovidespecificprovisionsprohibitinghatespeechalthoughitisconsidered‘acriminal
offenceto“incite”national,racial,orreligiousintolerance’(244).
TheEuropeanCommissioninits2016Communicationstatesthat‘noprogresswasmadetoimproveconditionsfor
thefullexerciseoffreedomofexpression,whereSerbiahasachievedsomelevelofpreparation’(245).
TheSerbianMinistryofCultureandInformationensuresthatfreedomofexpressionisrespected.Accordingto
itswebsite,theGovernmentiscommittedprotectingthefreedomofexpressionthroughtheimplementation
oftheactionplanforChapter23onJudiciaryandfundamentalrights,andthroughit,alsoprotectthesafetyof
journalists(246).
However,NGOsandmediasourcesstatethatthelevelofviolence,intimidationandsmear-campaigns(247) against
independentandinvestigativejournalistsobservedin2015hascontinuedin2016(248).
AccordingtotheConfederationofAutonomousTradeUnionsofSerbiaandlocalmedia,politicalpressureoccurs
throughsmearcampaignsconductedbypro-governmentmedia,whichunderminesmediaindependenceandis
conducivetoself-censorship(249).Themediasourcesindicatethatthereislackofpoliticalwilltoencouragefreedom
ofexpressionandanumberofmurdersofprominentjournalistremainunsolved(250).
AccordingtoCivilRightsDefenders,‘thefreedomofexpressionhasdeterioratedsignificantlysince2014,andhas
continuedonthatpathovertherecentperiodoftime’(251).

5.2.2. Freedom of religion
Thefreedomofthought,conscienceandreligionisguaranteedbytheConstitution(252)andisgenerallyrespected
inpractice(253).

(241) CivilRightsDefenders,HumanRightsinSerbia,updated8June2016.
(242) GovernmentofSerbia,ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,8November2006.
(243) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.
(244) USDepartmentofState,2015HumanRightsReports:Serbia,13April2016.
(245) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.21.
(246) MinistryofCultureandInformation,Zaštitaipromocijaslobodegovora–prioritet,“Protectionandpromotionoffreedomofspeech–priority”,3May2016.
(247) BalkanInsight,AttacksonSerbiamedia‘aimtocuttheirfunds’,12September2016;CivilRightsDefenders,Smearcampaignsmuststopagainstinvestigative
journalistsinSerbia,18March2016.
(248) EuropeanFederationofJournalists,SerbianauthoritiesmustinvestigatethemurderofLukaPopov,17June2016.
(249) BalkanInsight,AttacksonSerbiamedia‘aimtocuttheirfunds’,12September2016;ConfederationofAutonomousTradeUnionsofSerbia,Censorshipin
mediamakesjournalistresign,25August2016.
(250) BalkanInsight,Serbiansurveillancedocumentsonmurderedjournalist‘destroyed’,12January2016.
(251) CivilRightsDefenders,HumanRightsinSerbia,updated8June2016.
(252) GovernmentofSerbia,ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,article43,8November2006.
(253) FreedomHouse,Serbia,FreedomintheWorld2016.

34—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

TheUSDoS2015ReportonInternatoinalReligiousFreedommentionsdifficultiesencounteredbysomeminority
religiousgroupsinregisteringandcomplaintsofnontraditionalreligiousgroupsaboutdiscriminationinthe
implementationoflaws(254).Thesamesourcementionsyouthgroupsdenouncingminorityreligionsandarticles
criticalofnontraditionalreligiousgroupsintheSerbianpress(255).
AccordingtoCivilRightsDefenders,theOrthodoxChurchstillhasgreatinfluenceinthedecision-makingprocess.
Servicesinsomeminoritylanguagesarestillnotavailable(256).

5.2.3. Freedom of assembly and association
Freedomofassemblyisguaranteedunderarticle54oftheConstitution(257)andisregulatedbythenewLawon
PublicAssembly,adoptedinFebruary2016(258).ThisnewLawwasintroducedfollowinganApril2015rulingbythe
ConstitutionalCourtthatdeclaredthe1992LawonPublicAssemblyunconstitutional,andafteranensuinglegal
vacuumfromOctober2015toFebruary2016(259).Thelawhasbeencriticisedforbeingincomplete,nothaving
enoughsafeguardsagainstitsmisuse(‘topromotepoliticalpartiesandboosttheirelection’),andfornothaving
implementedCSOs’objections(260).AccordingtotheCivilRightsDefenders(CRD),aSwedishinternationalhumanrightsorganisationwithanofficeinBelgrade,thenewlaw’sdraftingprocesswasdonewithlittleexperts’inputand
minorconsultationwithhumanrightsNGOs.Afterthelatter’sreaction,somearticleswereimproved(261).
NGOs,CSOs,numerousprofessionalassociationsandworkersmayformunions,syndicatesandinterestassociations,
andareallowedtoengageincollectivebargainingororganisedstrikes(262).
Overall,citizensenjoyfreedomofassemblyandassociation,andnongovernmentalorganisationsgenerallyoperate
freely (263).Therehavebeennoticeableimprovements,suchastheorganisationofthethirdconsecutiveLGBTI
BelgradePrideParadeinSeptember2016(264)followingseveralyearswithouttheeventduetoviolentcounterdemonstrationsin2010(265).
Indoorassembliesdonotrequireapprovalornotification.Alloutdoorassemblieshavetobenotifiedtotheauthorities.
AccordingtotheBelgradeCentreforHumanRights,theconstitutiononlystatesthatcitizensmayassemblyfreelyanddoesnotguaranteethisrighttoaliensorstatelesspersons(266).
Theconstitutionguaranteesthefreedomtojoinandformpolitical,tradeunionandallotherformsofassociations,
withoutpriorapproval,andregulatesthebanofassociationsaimedatthe‘violentchangeoftheconstitutionalorder,
violationofguaranteedhumanandminorityrightsorincitementtoracial,ethnicorreligioushate’(267).
Despitetheoverallpositivelegalframework,theBelgradeCentreforHumanRightsstatesthatassociationstryingtospreadneo-NaziandFascistideas,incitingnational,racial,religiousandotherhateandintoleranceorlimitingrightsandfreedomsstilloperateinSerbia(268).

(254) USDoS,2015InternationalReligiousFreeedomReport,10August2016.
(255) USDoS,2015InternationalReligiousFreeedomReport,10August2016.
(256) CRDRightsDefenders,HumanRightsinSerbia,updated8June2016.
(257) ConstitutionalCourtofSerbia(The),ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,2006.
(258) ECNL,WesternBalkansAssemblyMonitorProject,FreedomofassemblyinSerbia,2016.
(259) ECNL,WesternBalkansAssemblyMonitorProject,FreedomofassemblyinSerbia,2016.
(260) EurActiv,Zakonojavnomokupljanjunepotpun,političkestrankegazloupotrebile,3August2016.
(261) CRD,HumanRightsinSerbia,updated8June2016.
(262) FreedomHouse,Serbia,FreedomintheWorld2016.
(263) FreedomHouse,Serbia,FreedomintheWorld2016.
(264) BalkanInsight,LGBTactivistsmarchwithpoliticiansforBelgradePride,18September2016.
(265) BBC,ScoresarrestedinBelgradeafteranti-gayriot,10October2016.
(266) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.
(267) GovernmentofSerbia,ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,article55,8November2006.
(268) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—35

5.2.4. Torture and other cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and punishment
SerbiaratifiedtheOptionalProtocoltotheUnitedNationsConventionagainstTortureandotherCruel,Inhuman
orDegradingTreatmentorPunishment(OPCAT)in2006andtheOmbudsmanwasofficiallydesignatedasNationalPreventiveMechanism(NPM)(269).
AccordingtotheEuropeanCommitteeforthePreventionofTortureandInhumanorDegradingTreatmentor
Punishment(CPT),thecommittee‘receivedasignificantnumberofallegationsofphysicalill-treatmentofdetained
personsbypoliceofficers’,consistingof‘slaps,punchesandtruncheonblows,butalsoincludedstrikingpersonswithvariousnon-standardobjects’,andalsoallegationsof‘handcuffingsuspectsinstresspositionsforhourson
end,theplacingofplasticbagsovertheirheads,theinflictionofshockswithhand-heldelectricdischargedevicesandhittingthesolesoftheirfeetwithhardobjects’(270).
AccordingtotheBelgradeCentreforHumanRights,between1October2013and30June2015,259criminalreports
werefiledwiththeBasicPublicProsecutionServicesagainst417peopleclaimingtortureandill-treatment,121of
whichwereagainstpoliceofficersandprisonguards.Eightycriminalproceedingsweredismissed,34werepending,
sixmotionsforindictmentweresubmittedandonepleabargainwasconcluded(271).

5.2.5. DetentionIna2015reportofitsvisittoSerbianjails,theEuropeanCommitteeforthePreventionofTortureandInhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment(CPT)reportsthatthetotalnumberofinmateswasof10,600andtheoverallcapacityoftheprisonsystemwas9,000,showinganincreaseof500placessincethe2011visit(272).
TheSerbianNationalPreventiveMechanism(NPM)hascarriedoutmorethan300visitstoplacesofdetentionin
Serbiaandhasprovidedmorethan1,000recommendationstotheSerbianauthorities.TheCPTrecommendsthat
theSerbiansauthoritiesincreasetheNPM’sbudgetandconsidersettingupanindependentunitforitwithinthe
Ombudsmanstructure(273).
Thecommitteereceivedallegationsof‘ill-treatmentinalltheprisonsvisited’.Thevisitrevealedahighlevelof
violenceamongprisonersandintimidationespeciallyinSremskaMitrovicaandPančevoprisons,whichareaffected
bychronicunderstaffing,illicitdruguse,poormaterialconditionsandalackofactivities(274).
AccordingtotheBelgradeCentreforHumanRights,Serbianprisonsareextremelyovercrowded,althoughthe
Governmenthasadoptedstrategiesaimedatreducingthenumberofremandedandconvictedprisoners.ConditionsatthelargestprisonsinSerbia–inSremskaMitrovica,PožarevacandNiš,aswellasBelgradeDistrictPrison–are
consideredinhumananddegrading(275).

5.3. Specific groups
5.3.1. Ethnic and religious minorities
Inits2016Communication,theCommissioncallsuponSerbiatoensureconsistentandcountry-wideimplementation
ofthelegalandinstitutionalframeworkfortheprotectionoffundamentalrightsofminoritiesandimprovethesituationofRoma(276).
AccordingtoHRW,theRomaminoritycontinuedtofacediscriminationandharassment.Housingisamajorconcern.
Informalsettlementsaredemolishedbytheauthorities,withoutnotificationoralternativeaccommodation.HRW
addsthat‘Romaininformalsettlementsoftenliveinappallingconditions’(277).
(269) CoE-CPT,ReporttotheGovernmentofSerbiaonthevisittoSerbiacarriedoutbytheCPTfrom26Mayto5June2015,24June2016.
(270) CoE-CPT,ReporttotheGovernmentofSerbiaonthevisittoSerbiacarriedoutbytheCPTfrom26Mayto5June2015,24June2016.
(271) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.
(272) CoE-CPT,ReporttotheGovernmentofSerbiaonthevisittoSerbiacarriedoutbytheCPTfrom26Mayto5June2015,24June2016.
(273) CoE-CPT,ReporttotheGovernmentofSerbiaonthevisittoSerbiacarriedoutbytheCPTfrom26Mayto5June2015,24June2016.
(274) CoE,Serbia:ill-treatment,overcrowding,poormaterialconditionsinprisonsamongkeyshortcomings,24June2016.
(275) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.
(276) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.21.
(277) HRW,Worldreport2016,Serbia,January2016.

36—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

DiscriminationofRomaisalsovisibleinemployment,educationandhealth-care.Thelackofpersonaldocuments
restrictstheRoma’sfundamentalhumanrights(278).AccordingtoarecentUNHCRsurveyonstatelessnessinSerbia,
theriskofstatelessnessishigheramongRomadisplacedfromKosovowhoarelivinginanareaofBelgradein
substandardsettlements.In31%ofthesampleobserved(1,987householdsaccommodating8,765persons),twoormorememberswereatriskofstatelessness(279).
TheCivilRightsDefendershighlightsthat,despitethegoodlegislativeframework,Roma(andLGBT)communities
remainsomeoftheweakest,mostmarginalisedanddiscriminatedgroupsinthecountryandfrequentlyexposedtoviolence.Thegovernmentisperceivedbothasadiscriminatorandas‘theonemostresponsibleforalleviatingtheproblem’(280).
Ontheissueofreligiousminorities,therearesevencommunitiesrecognisedastraditionalreligiouscommunities.
Traditionalstatusisalsograntedbythegovernment,solelyinVojvodinaProvince,totheDioceseofDaciaFelixofthe
RomanianOrthodoxChurch.Seventeen17other‘nontraditional’religiousorganisationsareregistered(281).Someissues
havebeenreportedwithregardtotheregistrationprocessfornon-traditionalreligions(see5.2.2FreedomofReligion).

5.3.2. Journalists and media
Theconstitutionguaranteesfreedomofthepressandcensorshipisprohibited(282).
Serbiaranks59thoutof180countriesintheReportersWithoutBorders(RSF)2016WorldPressFreedomIndex(283).
RSFstatedthatthesituationintheSerbianmediahaddeteriorated.ReportersormediacriticaloftheGovernment
arepubliclyattacked,targetedandsubjectedtofrequentarbitraryfinancialandadministrativeinspections.Three
lawscomplyingwithEuropeanstandardsonfreedomofinformationwereapprovedwiththeaimoffacilitatingadmissiontotheEUbutwereneverputintoforce (284).
AccordingtotheBelgradeCentreforHumanRights,in2015therewere14dailynewspaperspublishedinSerbia;
dataindicatorsshowthatcirculationofnewspapersdroppedby40%inthepastthreeyears(285).
AccordingtotheBelgradeCentreforHumanRights,thenumberofattacksandthreatsagainstreportersrosein
2015and‘hardlyanyoftheperpetratorswerebroughttojustice’(286).
On16June2016,LukaPopov,aSerbianradiojournalist,waskilledinnorthernSerbia(287).Theswiftreactionofthe
authoritiesinthearrestofsuspectswaswelcomedbytheOSCERepresentativefortheMediaofthePress,Dunja
Mijatović(288).AccordingtotheCoE’sPlatformtopromotetheProtectionofJournalismandSafetyofJournalists,
thecaseisstillpending(289).
TheSerbianOmbudsmannotedthattheGovernmentoftenidentifiedmediaandreporterscriticalofthegovernment
as‘mercenariesonthepayrollofforeignersandtycoons,whowereworkingagainsttheinterestsoftheircountry’(290).

5.3.3. Human rights and peace defenders
AccordingtotheCivilRightsDefenders,thesituationforhumanrightsdefendersinSerbiahasdeteriorated:(278) CivilRightsDefenders,HumanRightsinSerbia,updated8June2016.
(279) UNHCR,PersonsatRiskofStatelessnessinSerbia,June2016.
(280) CivilRightsDefenders,HumanRightsinSerbia,updated8June2016.
(281) USDoS,2015InternationalReligiousFreeedomReport,10August2016.
(282) GovernmentofSerbia,ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,8November2006.
(283) ReporterswithoutBorders(RSF),WorldPressFreedomIndex2016,2016.
(284) RSF,Countries,Serbia,2016.
(285) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.
(286) BelgradeCentreforHumanRights,HumanRightsinSerbia2015,2016.
(287) RSF,Serbia:RSFappalledbyreadiojournalist’smurder,updated20June2016.
(288) OSCE,OSCERepresentativewelcomesarrestsfollowingmurderofjournalistinSerbia,praisespoliceswiftaction,20June2016.
(289) CoE,Platformtopromotetheprotectionofjournalismandsafetyofjournalists,Radiojournalistandpresenterfounddeadinhome,updated21June2016.
(290) OmbudsmanofSerbia,RegularAnnualReportoftheProtectorofCitizensfor2015,15March2016.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—37‘Overthelastfewyears,severalhumanrightsdefendersinSerbiahavecontinuouslybeensubjectedtoanumberof
humanrightsviolations.Theyhavebeenthetargetsofphysicalviolence,deaththreats,hatespeech,harassmentanddefamation,aswellasfacedimposedrestrictionsontheirfreedomofassembly.Violationsmostcommonly
targeteitherhumanrightsdefendersindividuallyortheorganisationstheyworkfor’(291).
ThesamesourceindicatesthathumanrightsdefendersinSerbiaworkinahostileenvironment.Additionally,
a‘smearcampaign’againsttheOmbudsmanofSerbia,SasaJankovic,startedin2014andcontinuedin2015(292)(see 5.1.1OmbudsmanofSerbia).

5.3.4. WomenTheconstitutionguaranteestheprincipleofequalityandprohibitsanyformofgender-baseddiscrimination(293).
SerbiahasratifiedtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenandtheOptional
ProtocoltotheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen(294).
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGV)In2015,33womenwerekilledindomesticviolenceincidents,saidZoranaMihajlovic,PresidentofSerbian
CoordinatingBodyforGenderEquality(295).
AccordingtotheSerbianOmbudsman,between1January2013and30June2014,theSerbianSocialWelfareCentres
(SWCs)received5,847reportsregardingincidentsofintimatepartnerandgender-basedviolenceagainstwomen.
Themajorityofthereportscamefromthepolice.Inthereportedperiod,78murderswereidentified.Thevictims
weremainlyfemale(296).
Datafromthesamesourceshowsthatvictimswereaged26-64,camefrommarginalisedgroups(mainlyRomaorothernationalminorities)andperpetratorsweremainlymen(297).
TheOmbudsmanassessedthesituationandissuedrecommendations,asfollows:‘Violencewhichoccurredforthefirsttimeisofteninterpretedasadomesticorintimatepartnerconflictwhich
doesnotrequirearesponsefromtheauthorities.[…]Thesystem[…]thatmurders[…]constitutethefinaloutcomeoflong-lastingviolenceagainstthevictim.Femicideisalmostinvariablyprecededbymultipleincidentsofviolenceagainstthevictim[…]withoutanappropriateand
timelyresponsefromthecompetentauthorities.[…]Thenumberofcriminalreportsfiledwithprosecutor’sofficesbysocialwelfarecenters,andthenumberofjudicial
proceedingsinitiatedfortheprotectionagainstdomesticviolence,isseveraltimeslowerthanthenumberof
reportsandlawsuitsfiledbyvictimsthemselves’(298).
Gender equality
InFebruary2016,SerbiaadoptedtheNationalStrategyforGenderEqualityfor2016-2020,aimedatreducinggender
stereotypes,changingharmfulculturalnormsanddevelopingnewpoliciestopromoteequalopportunitiesfor
womenandmen(299).
Thenewstrategyaddressestheneedsofdiscriminated,vulnerablegroupsofwomen,includingRoma,ruralwomen
andwomenwithdisabilities,aswellasthesystematicuseofgender-sensitivelanguage.Serbiabecamethefirst
countryoutsidetheEUtointroducetheEUIndexofGenderEquality(300).

(291) CivilRightsDefenders,HumanRightsinSerbia,updated8June2016.
(292) HRW,Worldreport2016,Serbia,January2016.
(293) GovernmentofSerbia,ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,8November2006.
(294) OHCHR,StatusofRatification,Serbia,n.d.
(295) DelegationoftheEUtoSerbia,InternationalDayfortheEliminationofViolenceagainstWomen,25November2015.
(296) OmbudsmanofSerbia,SpecialReportonProtectionofWomenAgainstViolence,November2014.
(297) OmbudsmanofSerbia,Special ReportonProtectionofWomenAgainstViolence,November2014.
(298) OmbudsmanofSerbia,SpecialReportonProtectionofWomenAgainstViolence,November2014.
(299) UNWomen,EuropeandCentralAsia,SerbiaadoptsNationalStrategyforGenderEquality,23February2016.
(300) UNWomen,EuropeandCentralAsia,SerbiaadoptsNationalStrategyforGenderEquality,23February2016;.

38—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

5.3.5. Children
AccordingtoSOSChildren’sVillagesInternational,aboutone-fifthoftheSerbianpopulationisunder18.Nearly
10%ofchildrenliveinpoverty.Childrenfacetheriskoflosingparentalcareduetounemployment,poverty,health
problemsandthelowlevelofeducationofparents.Childrenwithdisabilities,andwithHIVarealsoatriskinrural
areas (301).
ReferringtoRomachildren,SOSChildren’sVillagesnotes:‘Romachildrenfacedisadvantagesinbothhealthandeducation.AccordingtotheWorldHealthOrganisation,
Serbiahasimprovedtheoverallhealthcareofchildrenbyreducingtheinfantandunder-fivemortalityrate.In
spiteofthis,childrenofRomaoriginarethreetimesmorelikelytodiebeforetheageoffivethannon-Romachildren.
Childrenhavetogotoschoolattheageofsixorseven.However,itisestimatedthataquarterofpoorchildren
donotattendprimaryeducation.AmongtheRoma,only66percententerschoolattherequiredageandonly
tenpercentenrolinsecondaryschool’(302).
Inarecentreport,HRWstatesthathundredsofSerbianchildrenwithdisabilitiesfaceneglectandisolationin
institutions.Despiteprogressmadeinprotectingtherightsofchildrenwithdisabilities,theroutineplacement
ofchildreninstateinstitutionsshouldbetackledbysupportingtheirfamiliesorplacingtheminotherfamily-like
settings(303).
AccordingtoaNetworkofOrganisationsforChildrenofSerbia(MODS),thenormativeframeworkfortherealisation
ofchildrightsshouldbefurtherdeveloped,aswellastheinstitutionalframeworkforconductiongpublicpolicies
inthefieldofchildrights.MODScallsuponthenewgovernmenttoadoptaNationalActionPlanforChildren,aNationalStrategyforthePreventionandprotectionofChildrenfromViolence,andthorenewtheGeneraland
SpecialProtocolsforProtectionofChildrenfromViolence,AbuseandNeglect(304).

5.3.6. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex persons (LGBTI)
AccordingtotheEC’s2016CommunicationonSerbia,LGBTIpersonsremainoneofthemostdiscriminated-against
groups in Serbia (305).Inits2015Communication,EChadwelcomedthestepstakenbytheauthoritiestostrengthentheprotectionoftherightsofLGBTpersons,aswellastheirfacilitationoftheprideparadeinBelgrade,whilestressingthat‘astrongercultureofrespectforLGBTIpersonsisneeded’(306).
The2015Ombudsmanhumanrightsreportstatesthat‘therightsofcitizenswithdifferentsexualorientationand
genderidentityarenotfullyprotected’inSerbia(307),where,forexample,same-sexmarriagesarenotallowed(308).
TheCivilRightsDefendersarguesthatthestateresponsetothediscrimination,threatsandhatespeechcontinuestobe
inadequateasthereisalackofadequateimplementationoflegislationthatexplicitlyreferstosexualorientation(309).
AccordingtoILGA,theSerbianNGOsLabrisandGayten-LGBT,togetherwiththeUS-basedNationalDemocratic
Institute,launched‘DASEZNA’,anewonlineportaltoreportviolenceanddiscriminationagainstLGBTIpeople(310).

(301) SOSChildren’sVillagesInternational,GeneralInformationonSerbia,n.d.
(302) SOSChildren’sVillagesInternational,GeneralInformationonSerbia,n.d.
(303) HRW,Serbia:ChildrenWithDisabilitiesNeglected,8June2016.
(304) ChildPact,SerbiancoalitionforchildrenurgesthenewCabinetofSerbiatotakemeasurestoimprovechildren’slives,22July2016.
(305) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementPolicy2016,9November2016,p.21.
(306) EC,ECCommunicationonEUEnlargementStrategy2015,10November2015,p.20.
(307) OmbudsmanofSerbia,RegularAnnualReportoftheProtectorofCitizensfor2015,15March2016.
(308) GovernmentofSerbia,ConstitutionoftheRepublicofSerbia,8November2006.
(309) CivilRightsDefenders,HumanRightsinSerbia,updated8June2016.
(310) ILGA,ILGA-EuropeAnnualReview2016,Serbia,4May2016.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—39

In2010,thereweremajorclashesbetweenthepoliceandhundredsoffar-rightsupporters,whoviolentlyprotested
againsttheLGBTmarch(311).On18September2016thelatestannualBelgradePrideParadeproceededwithout
violence,althoughstrongsecuritymeasuresweresetupbytheGovernment,withthousandsofriotpoliceofficers
present (312).
AnaBrnabic,amemberoftheLGBTcommunity,wasrecentlyappointedMinisterofPublicAdministrationand
LocalSelf-Government(313) (see 1.2.2Government).AccordingtotheLGBTQ Nation,anonlinemagazinefocusedonLGBTQnews,duringthe2016BelgradePrideParade,Brnabicstatedthat‘thegovernmentwillworktoimprovethe
positionforSerbia’sgaysaswellasotherminoritygroups,whostilloftenfaceharassmentanddiscrimination’(314).

5.3.7. Trafficked persons
AccordingtotheUSDoS2016TraffickinginPersonsReport,theGovernmentofSerbia‘doesnotfullymeetthe
minimumstandardsfortheeliminationoftrafficking;however,itismakingsignificanteffortstodoso’(315).Issues
identifiedinthesamereportrelatetoalackofstaffandresources,andade-prioritisationofanti-traffickingefforts
duetotheincreaseinirregularmigration,resultinginadecreaseinvictimidentification,investigations,prosecutionsandconvictions(316).
Alsothe2016BertelsmannStiftung’sreportstatesthatSerbialackstheresourcesandinstitutionalframeworkto
properlyinvestigateandprosecuteinstancesofhumantrafficking(317).
AccordingtoASTRA,aSerbiancivilsocietyanti-traffickingorganisation:‘Children,particularlyethnicRoma,aresubjectedwithinthecountrytosextrafficking,forcedlabor,forced
begging,andpettycrime.MigrantsandrefugeesfromAfghanistan,Iraq,andSyriaandfromneighboringcountries
arevulnerabletobeingsubjectedtotraffickingwithinSerbia.Allegedtraffickersreportedlyinfluencedsometraffickingcasesthroughbriberyofthevictimorjudge.TheGovernmentofSerbiadoesnotfullymeetthe
minimumstandardsfortheeliminationoftrafficking;however,itismakingsignificanteffortstodoso’(318).

5.3.8. Refugees, IDPs and Returnees
AccordingtotheCommissariatforRefugeesandMigrationoftheRepublicofSerbia,intheaftermathoftheBalkan
warsinthe1990sandthebreakupofCroatiaandBosniaandHerzegovina,537,937refugeeswereregistered(1996
census).InJune2014theregisterednumberofrefugeeswas43,763(319).
InitsMid-YearTrends2015report,UNHCRindicatesthatinSerbiatherewere35,309refugees,and220,227IDPs
protectedorassistedbytheUN-HighCommissariat(320).TheSerbianGovernmentindicatesthatmanyrefugees
departedfollowingtheNATObombardmentin1999andarrivaloftheKFOR.In2000,morethan200,000wereregisteredasdisplacedpeopleinSerbia,arrivingfromKosovoandMetohija.Itisestimatedthat100,000people
receivedSerbiancitizenshipfrom2001to2005(321).
TheDanishRefugeeCouncilindicatesthatSerbiahoststhelargestdisplacedpopulationinEuropeandhasbeen
amongthemostaffectedcountriesbytheprotectedrefugeecrisis(322).AccordingtotheInternationalDisplacement
MonitoringCentre(IDMC),77%oftheregisteredIDPsareSerbian,and12%areRoma(323).

(311) Guardian,(The),Serbiapoliceclashwithfar-rightriotersatgaypridemarch,10October2010.
(312) FoxNewsWorld,PolicecordonoffcentralBelgradeforpridemarch,18September2016;MediaDiversityInstitute,MediaCoverrageoftheBelgradePride
2016,18September2016;LGBTQNation[website],SerbianpolicecordonoffcentralBelgradetoprotectpridemarch,18September2016.
(313) ANSA,Serbia’snewgovernmenttoincludeopenlygayminister,8August2016.
(314) LGBTQNation[website],SerbianpolicecordonoffcentralBelgradetoprotectpridemarch,18September2016.
(315) USDoS,2016TraffickinginPersonsReport,June2015.
(316) USDoS,2016TraffickinginPersonsReport,June2015.
(317) BTI2016—SerbiaCountryReport,2016.
(318) ASTRA,Anti-TraffickingAction,TraffickinginPersonsReport2016,SerbiaonWatchList,4July2016.
(319) CommissariatforRefugeesandMigrationoftheRepublicofSerbia,Aboutus,n.d.
(320) UNHCR,Mid-YearTrends2015,2015.
(321) GovernmentoftheRepublicofSerbia,IzbegliceuSrbiji,“RefugeesinSerbia”,n.d.
(322) DanishRefugeeCouncil,Serbia,n.d.
(323) IDMC,SerbiaIDPfiguresanalysis,n.d.

40—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

Governmentsourcesindicatethatthemainproblemsreturnees’orpotentialreturneescontinuetofacerelateto
theexerciseoftheirbasicrights,effectiverepossessionofproperty,righttoadequatehousing,physicalsecurity,
andemployment,thuspreventingdurablesolutionsfortheirdisplacement,andimpedingtheprobabilityand
sustainabilityoftheirreturn (324).
AccordingtotheIDMC,20%oftheIDPsoriginatingfromKosovowouldbewillingtoreturn,whiletheleastlikelyto
return are members of Roma minority (325).
TheSerbianCommissariatforRefugeesandMigrationstatesthattheagreementbetweenSerbiaandtheEUontheReadmissionofpersonsresidingillegallyintheEU,enteredintoforcein2008,inparallelwiththesettingupoftheCouncilforIntegrationofReturneesunderReadmissionAgreement.In2009thecountryadoptedtheStrategy
forReintegrationofReturneesaccordingtotheReadmissionAgreement,taskingtheCommissariatwithfacilitating
reception,reintegrationofreturnees,promotionofpositivediscriminationandprovisionofbasiclivingconditions(326).
AccordingtoHRW,the‘SerbianauthoritiesmadeslowprogressinfindingadurablesolutionforrefugeesandIDPs
fromtheBalkanwarslivinginSerbia’(327).
AccordingtoUNDP’srecentpilotprojecton‘ReintegrationofRomareturneestoSerbia’,‘fouroutoffiveregistered
returneesunderthereadmissionagreementareRoma’andthecapacityof‘localself-governmentsfordealingwith
readmissionofthisscaleislimited’(328).
ThroughtheInstrumentforPre-accessionAssistance(IPA)programmes,theEUisstrengtheningSerbia’sinstitutionsandtheircapacitytoachieveEUstandardsinmigrationmanagementandreintegrationofreturneesupon
readmission(329).SerbiaisalsoamemberoftheMigration,AsylumRefugeesRegionalInitiative(MARRI)whichaddressesmigration-managementissuesandpromoteclosercooperationintheWesternBalkans(330).

(324) CommissariatforRefugeesandMigrationoftheRepublicofSerbia,Повратакизбеглицаинерешенипроблемиудржавамапорекла,“Returnofrefugees
andunsolvedproblemsinthecountriesoforigin”,n.d.
(325) IDMC,SerbiaIDPfiguresanalysis,n.d.
(326) CommissariatforRefugeesandMigrationoftheRepublicofSerbia,Aboutus,n.d.,
(327) HRW,Worldreport2016,Serbia,January2016.
(328) UNDP,SupportingreintegrationofRomareturneesinSerbia,13JUly2016.
(329) EUDelegationtotheRepublicofSerbia,IPAcentralisedprogrammes,ProjectNumber09:SupporttotheimplementationofstrategiesforIDPs,refugees
andreturnees,n.d.
(330) EC,(IPAII)–IndicativeStrategyPaperforSerbia(2014-2020),19August2014.

EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—41

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news/politics.php?yyyy=2016&mm=08&dd=18&nav_id=98944),accessed20August2016.
Putin’s party “secures” Balkans: sovereignty and neutrality,28June2016,(http://www.b92.net/eng/news/world.
php?yyyy=2016&mm=06&dd=28&nav_id=98445),accessed9September2016.
Raskovic-Ivic stepping down as DSS party leader,29July2016,(http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.
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SAJ i PTJ postaju jedna jedinica “za najbolje”,“SAJandPTJmergingintoasingleunit,it’sfor‘thebetter”,8February
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Serbia told not to block Kosovo, adopt EU’s Russia position,14July2016,(http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.
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Serbia cannot be neutral and join EU - German official,23June2016,http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.
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Seselj, Nikolic, Ljajic and Dacic in 2017 presidential race,16May2016,(http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.
php?yyyy=2016&mm=05&dd=16&nav_id=98003),accessed18August2016.
Vucic’s address to assembly lasts almost six hours,9August2016,(http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.
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25,000 attend Savamala demolitions protest in Belgrade,25June2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/
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EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—43

Belgrade Pride 2014: Live Blog,28September2014,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/belgrade-pride2014-live-blog),accessed13September2016.
Delays in forming government leave Serbia perplexed,29june2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/
serbia-still-without-government-despite-promises-of-prime-minister-designated-06-28-2016),accessed5
August2016.
EU Concerns over Serbia’s Russia-West balancing act, Balkan Insight,14July2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.
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Former Sandzak Mufti mulls joining Serbian government,23July2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/
former-sandzak-mufti-mulls-joining-serbian-government-06-22-2016),accessed10August2016.
Hague tribunal slams Serbia again for non-cooperation,15September2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/
en/article/icty-slams-serbia-again-for-non-cooperation-09-15-2016),accessedSeptember2016.
ISIS poses threat to Balkans, Ministers say,29July2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/isis-realthreat-to-region-ministers-say),accessed14September2016.
LGBT activists march with politicians for Belgrade Pride,18September2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/
en/article/third-belgrade-pride-parade-passed-without-incidents-09-18-2016),accessed19September2016.
PM Vucic mulls changing Serbian constitution,23May2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/primeminister-can-provide-the-majority-for-changing-the-constitution-05-20-2016),accessed3August2016.
Report laments failings in Serbian judiciary,17May2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/thejudiciary-in-serbia-is-not-at-a-satisfactory-level-05-16-2016),accessed13September2016.
Serbia aims to open key EU chapters in June,4February2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbiaeu-chapter-24-opening-possible-in-june-02-03-2016),accessed3August2016.
Serbian right-wingers win seats in poll re-run,5may2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbianrightist-coalition-entered-parliament-after-repeated-elections-05-05-2016),accessed10August2016.
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Serbia sends Albanian schoolbooks back to Kosovo,2March2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/
serbia-returns-kosovo-books-back-to-the-border-03-02-2016),accessed15August2016.
Serbian Government delays blamed on conflicting pressures,27July2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/
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Serbia court jails Miskovic for five years,20June2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbian-tycoonsentenced-five-years-in-prison-06-20-2016),accessed9September2016.
Serbia’s leaders find new ‘enemies within’,23February2015,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/serbias-leaders-find-new-enemies-within/protiv-ustavna-odbrana-generala),accessed11September2016.
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Serbia’s ruling party takes over northern province,27April2016.(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/
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Serbian Army trains more with NATO than Russia,31August2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/
serbia-s-nato-army-cooperation-beats-russia-significantly-08-30-2016),accessed9September2016.

44—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

Serbian ex-Security Chief dodges journalist murder trial,19May2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/
serbian-ex-security-chief-dodges-journalist-murder-trial-05-19-2016),accessed9September2016.
Serbian Interior Minister accused of bugging journalist,11January2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/
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Vucic not tackling Serbia’s corruption,expertssay,8April2016,(http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/vucics-government-made-no-promised-progress-on-tackling-corruption-04-07-2016),accessed9September2016.
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EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—45

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46—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

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EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—47

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EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—49

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50—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

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52—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

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EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—53

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EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—55

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56—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

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58—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

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EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus—59

InternationalCriminalTribunalforYugoslavia(ICTY),Decision Advising The Tribunal’s President Of The Republic
Of Serbia’s Continued Failure To Cooperate With The Tribunal,14September2016,(http://www.icty.org/x/cases/
contempt_seselj4/tdec/en/160914.pdf),accessed28September2016.
GeospatialInformationSection, Serbia,April2007,(http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/serbia.
pdf),accessed13September2016.
UNDP(UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme)inSerbia,
Attitudes of Serbian citizens toward corruption – Public opinion research, Eighthresearchcycle,December
2013,(http://www.rs.undp.org/content/dam/serbia/Publications%20and%20reports/English/UNDP_SRB_
Corruption%20Benchmarking%20Survey%20December%202013.pdf),accessed9September2016.
Supporting reintegration of Roma returnees in Serbia,13JUly2016,(http://www.rs.undp.org/content/serbia/en/
home/presscenter/articles/2016/07/13/supporting-reintegration-of-roma-returnees-in-serbia.html),accessed
28September2016.
UNHCR,
Mid-Year Trends 2015,2015,(https://s3.amazonaws.com/unhcrsharedmedia/2015/2015-midyear-trendsreport/2015-12-18_MYT_web.pdf),accessed28September2016.
Persons at Risk of Statelessness in Serbia, Progress Report 2010-2015,June2016,(http://www.refworld.org/co
untry,,UNHCR,,SRB,,57bd436b4,0.html),accessed13September2016.
UNWomen,EuropeandCentralAsia,SerbiaadoptsNationalStrategyforGenderEquality,23February2016,(http://
eca.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2016/02/serbia-adopts-national-strategy-for-gender-equality),accessed14
September2016.
USAID(UnitedStatesAgencyforInternationalDevelopment),Serbiatackleslaborlawreformtorevitalizeeconomy,31May2016,(https://www.usaid.gov/results-data/success-stories/integrating-public-engagement-and-economicdevelopment),accessed13September2016.
USDepartmentofState,2015 Human Rights Reports: Serbia,13April2016,(http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2015/eur/252897.htm),
accessed19September2016.
2015 Report on International Religious Freedom – Serbia,10August2016(http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/
religiousfreedom/index.htm?year=2015&dlid=256239),accessed10November216.
2016 Trafficking in Persons Report,June2016(http://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/2016/index.htm),accessed
10November2016.
VladaSrbije,GovernmentoftheRepublicofSerbia,Potpredsednici i ministry, “Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers”,
n.d.,(http://www.srbija.gov.rs/vlada/ministri.php#74029),accessed3August2016.
WashingtonPost(The),
Islamic State targets Balkans as next recruitment hotspot,22December2015(http://www.washingtontimes.com/
news/2015/dec/22/isis-targets-balkans-as-next-recruitment-hotspot/),accessed9September2016.
Tracing the path of four terrorists sent to Europe by the Islamic State,22April2016(https://www.washingtonpost.
com/world/national-security/how-europes-migrant-crisis-became-an-opportunity-for-isis/2016/04/21/ec8a7231062d-4185-bb27-cc7295d35415_story.html),accessed13September2016.
WB(WorldBank),Employment to population ratio, 15+, total (%) (modeled ILO estimate),n.d.,(http://data.worldbank.
org/indicator/SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS?name_desc=false),accessed13September2016.
YouthInitiativeforHumanRights(YIHR),Održana komemoracija žrtvama srebreničkog genocida ispred Narodne
skupštine Republike Srbije, “Victims of the Srebrenica genocide commemorated in front of the National Assemblyof the Republic of Serbia”,15July2016,(http://www.yihr.rs/bhs/odrzana-komemoracija-zrtvama-srebrenickoggenocida-ispred-narodne-skupstine-republike-srbije/),accessed5August2016.

60—EASOCountryofOriginInformationReport:RepublicofSerbia–CountryFocus

Terms of Reference
1. State structure – 4 pages
1.1Constitution
1.2Executivebranch• President• Government
1.3Legislativebranch• Parliament(assembly,senate?)
1.4Administration
2. Socio-political landscape (= level of democracy) – 7 pages
2.1Politicalparties
2.2Elections
2.3Opposition/Armedgroups
2.4Civilsociety(ngo’s,freedomofspeech,freedomofassemblyandassociation,labourrightsandconditions)
2.5Media(TV,radio,newspapers,internet)
3. Rule of Law and State Protection – 8 pages
3.1.Lawenforcement(includeinformationabout:Capacitytoprotectcivilians;Corruption;
Abuseofpower;accountabilitymechanismstodealwiththeseissues-whererelevant)
3.1.1Police
3.1.2Army
3.1.3Intelligence/Securityforces
3.1.4Corruption/fightagainstorganisedcrime
3.2Judiciary(includeinformationabout:Capacitytoprotectcivilians;Corruption;Abuseofpower;Internalmechanismstodealwiththeseissues-whererelevant)
3.2.1Courtssystem(statecourts,religiouscourts,militarycourts,etc.)
CapacityandJudicialintegrity
4. Security situation (general, regional) – 3 pages
4.1Shortdescriptionofthe(regional)situation
4.2Amount/Levelofviolence(chronologyofmainincidents)
4.3Actorsintheconflict(securityforces,armedoppositiongroups)
4.4Areasofcontrol/influence
4.5Impactoftheviolencetothepopulation
5. Human rights situation – 8 pages
5.1Legalcontext(relevantlegislation:constitution,treaties,citizenship,etc.)
5.2Generalsituation(arbitraryarrests,detention,torture,disappearances,situationin
detentionfacilities,deportation/refoulement)
5.3Specificgroups(e.g.,ethnic/religiousminorities,journalists,humanrightsdefenders,
children,women,LGBT,victimsoftrafficking,returnees,etc.)
6. Reintegration of returnees – 1 page
Annexes (EASO)
A. Bibliography
B. Terms of Reference

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EuropeanAsylumSupportOﬃ
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BZ-04-17-234-EN-N
BZ-06-16-2343-EN-C

EASO Country of
OriginInformation
ReportRepublic of Serbia
Country Focus

ISBN 978-92-9494-367-5
978-92-9494-285-2

NovemberNovember2016
2016

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