The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights condemns the recent attacks and threats of lynch against members of the Society for Spiritual Science “Sanatan” and their property in Beli Potok. The BCHR also condemns the irresponsible and sensationalist reports of the incidents by some print media.  (more…)

The brutal murder of the Stolić family in Obilić is not merely another gross outburst of national and religious hatred, but also a sign that the perpetrators of this horrible act are organised supporters of the policy of ethnic cleansing of non-Albanians in Kosovo, a policy consciously organised by some forces in Kosovo and tolerated by Kosovo institutions, and, unfortunately, representatives of the international community. This is why this crime should not be perceived as a matter that can be resolved by the police alone, but should be taken as a signal to the international community to urgently revise its view of Kosovo institutions established under its auspices, and, if necessary, to replace them and entrust their powers to international bodies. If it fails to do so, incidents like this one will recur, endangering the rights of all of Kosovo’s residents and peace and security in the whole Balkans.

The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights is amazed by the conduct of the president of Nova Srbija and the mayor of Cacak, Mr. Velimir Ilic, who physically attacked journalist Vladimir Jesic. Aggressive and offensive behaviour is inconsistent with the duty of public figures to respect the freedom of expression in their public appearances. After the incident, Mr. Ilic, without any evidence presented, claimed that he was victim of provocation, and that he allegedly had told the journalist “ what he was not wiling to speak about”. (more…)

The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights calls on the authorities of Serbia and Montenegro (SaM) not to sign a Non-Extradition Pact the US has been offering states signatories of the Rome Statute to exclude US citizens from the jurisdiction of the permanent International Criminal Court (ICC). The Pact would undermine the purpose for which the ICC was established and would be in contravention of the international obligations SaM has assumed. SaM (FRY) became a member of the ICC on July 2001.    (more…)

The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights again alerts to the alarming examples of hate speech which occasionally – but nontheless much too frequently – appears in Serbia’s media and public life in general. The BCHR has to date mostly alerted to such cases in political discourse. Hate speech is, however, present also in media allegedly focusing on non-political issues and entertainment. (more…)

Professor Dr Vojin Dimitrijević, Director of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, was appointed member of the prestigious International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on 30 April 2003. The ICJ was established in Berlin in 1952 with the mission to “impartially, objectively and authoritatively” advocate the primacy, coherence and implementation of international law. The Commission comprises sixty eminent jurists (commissioners) representing all legal systems in the world. The ICJ is headquartered in Geneva.