An attack on civilian society
Mass protests against the proposed lithium mining task in the Jadar Valley in August this year marked a crucial escalation. About 30,000 people took to the streets of Belgrade to protest the government’s re-announcement of the beginning of the mine by the global company Rio Tinto. Organised by the Association of Environmental Organisations of Serbia, the protest highlighted widespread concerns that the mine would pollute water sources and seriously endanger public health.
The government’s consequence was unprecedented, as over the course of just 10 days, there were at least 41 arrests or detentions across 17 cities. Many were accused of threatening constitutional order, a serious criminal accusation typically utilized in cases involving an armed shift of government or attempts to overthrow state authorities. Frequently, individuals sharing information about the protests on social media were summoned to police stations for “informative interviews” and any activists received visits at their homes, accompanied by warnings. At the same time, smear campaigns targeted 39 organisations and 11 global donors, including from the United States and the United Kingdom.
These measures extended beyond specified suppression of protests; they symbolised an attack on democratic freedoms, specified as freedoms of expression, assembly and association. [Read more in the Civic Initiatives study Three Freedoms Under the Magnifying Glass Violations of Basic Human Rights in Serbia, August 16 – August 29, 2024]
The government’s narrative, portraying dissenters as anti-national, served to justify unlawful arrests and heightened surveillance. The methods that were first applied to environmental activists this year are now applied to almost any kind of protest.
The subsequent events around the tragedy in Novi Sad at the beginning of November of this year underscored the systematic character of the repressions. Following the collapse of the railway station canopy, which resulted in 15 deaths, public protests erupted, demanding accountability. Civic Initiatives recorded 28 arrests and detentions related to these protests. Plainclothes policemen, frequently without identification, pushed activists into unmarked cars. any of the detainees were missing for hours while their families and lawyers were unaware of their location. They were questioned by the secret services about the protests and protest organisers. [Read more in the Civic Initiatives report].
For many, the parallels between these and erstwhile events signal an expanding run to criminalise civic activism.
While these protests originated in circumstantial grievances—environmental concerns in 1 instance, accountability for a public disaster in another—they reflect a broader public dissatisfaction.
By rallying against decisions made without public consent, the protesters are exposing the state’s undemocratic practices, where decisions are frequently made in secrecy, and where private interests are prioritised over those of the citizens. The government’s aggressive consequence to these protests, including smear campaigns and unlawful arrests, reflects its fear of losing control and being held accountable by the public.
Dragoslava Barzut (front) during the protest against the demolition of the historical bridge in Belgrade, November 20th, 2024. Photo: Sanja Knežević.
Russian and Chinese influence
Serbia’s alliances with Russia and China have been increasingly shaping the regulation of civic space. Serbia’s cooperation with Russia, peculiarly in countering ‘colour revolutions,’ reflects a shared strategy to suppress civilian society. Environmental protests have been branded by both governments as foreign-influenced destabilisation attempts, providing the government with a pretext for harsh crackdowns.
We’ve seen this in action, from the expulsion of Russian activists residing in Serbia, following their public opposition to the war in Ukraine and the political strategy of Russia, to surveillance of civilian society, with high-ranking Serbian officials reportedly aiding Russian authorities in monitoring activists in Serbia. Thus, we witnessed examples of hacker attacks on the devices of representatives of civilian society, detention and harassment of activists at border crossings, as well as entry bans on individuals from the region who are critical of the authorities in Serbia, all under the pretext that they represent a threat to Serbia’s national security.
Chinese influence is equally troubling. In fresh years, we’ve documented cases where Chinese companies’ private safety forces have harassed environmental activists and journalists reporting on working conditions. Contracts signed between Serbian authorities and Chinese companies are opaque, shielding the environmental impact and labour conditions from public view. It appears our government is adopting the repressive tactics already in place in these countries, leading to further violations of citizens’ rights in Serbia.
[Read more in the Civic Initiatives Report: “Weaponizing Influence: How Russia’s and China’s Soft Power Clashes Serbia’s civilian Society utilizing Lithium Controversies”].
The impact on human rights defenders and civilian society in Serbia
The consequences for Serbian civilian society have been profound. Human rights defenders face an array of challenges, from direct threats and surveillance to smear campaigns that exposure delicate individual information.
Alongside the pressures on environmental activists, we’ve seen an even more dangerous run by government officials and pro-regime media against civilian society organisations. The fresh practice of publishing confidential financial data, including the names and salaries of employees in organisations, on pro-government tv is simply a threat to the safety and work of organisations and individuals.
Equally concerning is the government’s frequent mentions of “foreign agent” government with any officials discussing this openly in parliament this year.
If adopted, this law would further worsen the state of human rights in Serbia. It would exposure media workers and employees of civilian society organisations to physical danger by stigmatising them as agents of abroad influence working to undermine state order. The societal impact would be profound, as it could lead to the shutdown of civilian society organisations and importantly narrow the space for their activities. civilian society organisations play a vital function in promoting transparency, safeguarding democracy, and holding the government accountable. Additionally, they are essential providers of critical social services that benefit communities across Serbia.
Despite all the repressive tactics, activists proceed to resist, we proceed to fight for the basic human rights and values we believe in. Repression aims to scare citizens from joining the common fight against authoritarianism, non-transparency and the fight for democracy and the regulation of law. However, repression sometimes backfires, inspiring people to join the origin alternatively than retreat.
Civic Initiatives has responded by strengthening alliances within the civilian sector and launching fresh tools, specified as an online alert system, to track and respond to organization force on activists. Documentation of abuses remains a cornerstone of their advocacy.
Urging global support for Serbian activists
The function of the global community is crucial. The global community should publically condemn any violations of human rights and call on Serbian authorities to uphold democratic principles. For many in Serbia, the perceived deficiency of global support, especially from the European Union, has been disheartening.
Serbia’s EU candidate position places a peculiar work on the EU to monitor developments closely and respond accordingly, ensuring that Serbia adheres to the democratic principles and human rights standards expected of future associate states.
We believe the Green Agenda cannot be pursued at the expense of human rights and environmental justice in candidate countries.
International support and force on Serbia’s institutions can reenforce the position of civilian society and activists, ensuring we do not feel abandoned in this struggle.
This op-ed was first published by humanrightshouse.org
Alma Mustajbašić is a investigator with Civic Iniatives and a associate of Human Rights home Belgrade
Dragoslava Barzut is a author and human rights defender from Novi Sad. She is simply a Public Policy Program manager at Civic Initiatives, a associate organisation of Human Rights home Belgrade.
