The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights is shocked by the assassination of the Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Ðinđić. This tragic event jeopardized the security of the country and it threatens to stop the process of democratic changes started by the Government of Serbia. This loss is severe, but not irreplaceable if we all stand for behind the legacy of Zoran Ðinđić and resolutely oppose those who murdered him, directly or indirectly, because the introduction of democracy and rule of law had endangered major interests and positions they had acquired during the regime of Slobodan Milošević. Resisting the rehabilitation of these forces we cannot rely only on the state of emergency and on the new powers given to the police. Instead, all of us, as citizens, must show that the underworld has no prospect to rule over Serbia. If now any of us lacks courage, Serbia is facing a bleak future.
In such a situation, the state of emergency, including restrictions of the rights that can be misused by villains, is a necessary measure. Citizens of Serbia should be aware that these measures are introduced and implemented by representatives of democratic forces, elected in September and December 2000, and not, as was the case in the past, by Slobodan Miloševic and members of his gang of criminals and profiteers.
