Let’s Not Drown Belgrade Urges EU Representatives Not to Participate in Election Conditions Talks

(Beta/Milan Obradovic)

The Let’s Not Drown Belgrade Initiative sent on Nov. 13 an open letter to EU representatives, in which it warned them that “human rights and freedoms do not exist in Serbia,” urging them not to take part in the talks on election conditions “as long as attacks and pressure on free media and activists continue.”

In its announcement, the Initiative pointed out that “chief characteristics” of the current authorities “are threats, pressure and violence against those not sharing [their] views, almost full control over and abuse of the media, party control over the justice system, and blackmail and economic oppression used against a great number of people.”

“We are certain that in similar conditions in your countries you would refuse to give legitimacy to fake trials staged by an authoritarian government and refuse to participate in fake elections that offer no conditions for a free expression of the will of the people,” the letter said.

The Initiative mentioned the attacks against the N1 TV station and the Danas newspaper, as well as against numerous social activists, accusing state institutions and officials of being behind them.

“Recently, even the RTS public service joined the pressures targeting the independent media outlets. Instead of those violating the laws, those who reveal such violations are put on trial. Thus, Aleksandar Obradovic, a whistleblower from the Valjevo Krusik factory, who informed the public of corruption at the top of the Serbian Progressive Party in connection with the sale of weapons [produced in that factory], is still under house arrest,” the letter added.

The Initiative further said that “without a clear admission that Serbia has great problems with the state of human rights and fair election conditions,” no progress can be made in such a dialogue.