It is with deepest regret that the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights announces the passing of Vojin Dimitrijević (81), our beloved colleague and Director, in Belgrade today. Vojin Dimitrijević managed the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights since he established it in 1995. He was a member of the Venice Commission, the International Commission of Jurists, a judge at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, a member of the Governing Board of the Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI) and a member of the Serbian PEN Centre. (more…)

Hereby, the „Konstantin Obradovic Foundation for Peace and Democracy“ cordially announces Laszló Végel, publicist from Novi Sad, as the recipient of the 2012 „Konstantin Obradovic“ Prize for the advancement of the culture of human rights. The prize has been unanimously awarded by the jury comprised of dr Vojin Dimitrijevic, dr Gordana Matkovic and dr Vesna Pesic. The „Konstantin Obradovic“ prize shall be bestowed on Sunday, June 24th,2012.

The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights and the Committee of Human Rights Lawyers condemn the violent behaviour of the Prokuplje Primary School “9. oktobar” pupils and appeal to the competent state authorities to as soon as possible undertake measures to prevent, investigate and penalise this and similar violent incidents, which have been increasingly breaking out in educational institutions. Measures must be taken against those who had committed acts of violent behaviour, but our primary responsibility is prevent the occurrence of such acts in the first place, to instil socially responsible attitudes and mindsets in our children already in the early stages of their socialisation. (more…)

The Coalition for Free Access to Information supports the decision of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia to re-elect Rodoljub Šabić as the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Information Protection. This step shows respect to the initiative of many civil societies and the expert public. The Coalition believes that it is of the utmost importance to continue with further activities aimed at improving the current system and openness of state institutions, as well as citizens’ rights in the field of free access to information of public importance and personal data protection. (more…)

The Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights and the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights request that that the government of the Republic of Serbia seriously consider the situation in Banja Koviljača, at all levels, so that the rise in racism, xenophobia and intolerance of citizens towards asylum-seekers can be countered. The state is obligated to enact measures to secure the adequate accommodation of asylum-seekers, but also to efficiently investigate all attacks on migrants residing on the territory of Serbia which result in their discrimination. Additionally, we expect that the government enters into dialogue with the citizens of Banja Koviljača, to discuss measures that they intend to take, as well as to actively dedicate themselves to eradicating every form of racism and discrimination. (more…)

The Coalition for the Free Access to Information calls on the Culture and Information Committee of the National Assembly to send a proposal for the appointment of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection as soon as possible. According to Article 30 of the Law on the Free Access to Information of Public Importance, only this committee of the National Assembly has the authority to initiate the election proceedings. The current Commissioner’s mandate is due to expire on the 22nd December 2011. If by this date the entire election procedure is not completed, Serbia will be left without a leader for this important institution. (more…)