Serbia Gets Platform Registering Attacks and Pressure on Human Rights Activists

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Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights-YUCOM issued a statement on Nov. 5, announcing the launching of a platform entitled “In Solidarity for the Rights of All,” which is to register all attacks and pressure on organizations and individuals in Serbia who, one way or another, defend human rights.

According to the statement, as of Jan. 1, 2021, the platform will note not only physical attacks on individuals and property, but digital verbal abuse as well, and any activities that may be perceived as pressure.

“At the moment, when these negative occurrences in our society are gaining momentum, data from Serbia is missing out from similar international platforms. [The platform] will subsequently provide a database for national and international reports, and serve to encourage advocacy actions, changes in legislation, based on gathered evidence,” the statement says.

Since the epidemic has been declared in Serbia in March 2020, according to YUCOM, there has been a sharp rise in attacks and pressure, as much as 340 percent on a monthly basis.

“The most significant among the attacks was carried out by the Ministry of Finance (the Administration for the Prevention of Money Laundering) on July 28, 2020, when a list of 37 NGOs and 20 individuals being investigated for money-laundering and financial terrorism was leaked to the media,” YUCOM claims.