EU: Serbia to Support Freedom of Expression, Human Rights Institutions

Josep Borrell

Serbia should make an additional effort to support the freedom of expression and strengthen human rights institutions, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell says in his Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World, suggesting that all Serbian politicians need to fight against hate speech.

In the 2021 Report, the political climate in Serbia has been described as polarized. “Inflammatory rhetoric is used in parliamentary debates against political opponents and representatives of other institutions that have expressed different political views,” Borrell said in the Report.

These included verbal attacks by representatives of the ruling coalition against civil society organizations and media. “All politicians should combat hate speech and contribute to a political dialogue about reforms in the European integration process, particularly in the areas of democracy and rule of law.”

Borrell goes on to say that institutions should step up cooperation with civil society, accepting it as a vital partner in the reforms, and the guarantor of an efficient balance of power. Having concluded that Serbia’s legislative and institutional framework in the area of fundamental rights was largely aligned with international and European standards, the EU high representative has suggested in the Report that it’s necessary to ensure consistent and efficient implementation of the laws and policies.