NEWSLETTER #9
ON ATTACKS AND PRESSURE AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
The Solidarity for the Rights of All Network presents Newsletter # 9 on attacks and pressure against activists. The team documents attacks and pressures on the Incident Map through research of publicly available information and interviews with the victims. Since the beginning of 2022, 22 attacks and pressures have been registered, both on those who protect human rights and those who found themselves in that role due to their actions and suffered consequences. The Solidarity for the Rights of All Network is led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights – YUCOM, Belgrade Center for Security Policy, and the People’s Parliament
CURRENT NEWS
Excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators in Novi Sad more… |
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| On July 21, 2022, a group of non-governmental organizations organized a protest rally ahead of the adoption of the General Urban Plan for Novi Sad in front of the Banovina building. Private security and the police intervened with the use of excessive force during an attempt by demonstrators to enter the session of the City Assembly of Novi Sad. The Ministry of Internal Affairs asserted in their statement that thanks to the effectiveness of the police, the demonstrators were prevented from entering the session and “causing chaos.” President Vučić commented that the police were mild, and the mayor of Novi Sad, Vučević, said that the police “essentially did not use force” and that the demonstrators were “vagabonds with nothing to do.” The organizers announced a new protest if they did not receive answers to the questions about who hired the private security and what their powers were. | |
| Date | July 21, 2022. |
| Type of attack | Deprivation of Liberty, Physical Assault (Beatings, Violence, Injuries) |
| Type of attacker | Police, private legal entity |
| Endangered right | Freedom of assembly |
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ATTACKS AND PRESSURES IN THE PERIOD OF JUNE – JULY
| Threats to the organization “Women for Peace” more… | |
| Date | July 22, 2022. |
| Type of attack | Threats, Acts of Intimidation, Blackmail |
| Type of attacker | Natural person, unknown |
| Endangered right | Freedom of expression, freedom of association |
| Attack of the weekly Pečat on non-governmental organizations more… | |
| Date | July 21, 2022. |
| Type of attack | Defamation via electronic media or social networks |
| Type of attacker | Media |
| Endangered right | Freedom of expression, freedom of association |
| Throwing red paint on the premises of “Women in Black” more… | |
| Date | July 12, 2022 |
| Type of attack | Property damage |
| Type of attacker | Natural person, unknown |
| Endangered right | Freedom of expression, freedom of association |
| The arrest of the actress in Kraljevo more… | |
| Date | June 30, 2022 |
| Type of attack | Deprivation of liberty |
| Type of attacker | Police |
| Endangered right | Freedom of expression |
| Threats of lawsuits against citizens in Rekovac more.. | |
| Date | June 29, 2022 |
| Type of attack | Initiation of civil proceedings |
| Type of attacker | Private legal entity |
| Endangered right | Freedom of expression, freedom of association |
| Intimidation for pointing out irregularities in border police work more… | |
| Date | June 26, 2022 |
| Type of attack | Deprivation of liberty, Threats, Acts of Intimidation, Blackmail |
| Type of attacker | Police |
| Endangered right | Freedom of expression |
| Threats against Naim Leo Beširi more… | |
| Date | June 15, 2022 |
| Type of attack | Internet harassment, Threats, Acts of Intimidation, Blackmail |
| Type of attacker | Natural person, unknown |
| Endangered right | Freedom of expression, freedom of association |
| Neo-Nazi stickers on the premises of the Pride Info Center more… | |
| Date | June 6, 2022 |
| Type of attack | Property damage |
| Type of attacker | Natural person, unknown |
| Endangered right | Freedom of expression, freedom of association |
| More on the map… | |
REACTIONS
| July 22, 2022. | Frontline Defenders’ statement regarding threats to Women for Peace |
| Frontline Defenders | |
| July 21, 2022. | Urgently stop violence and intimidation, institutions belong to citizens |
| “Three freedoms” platform | |
| June 30, 2022. | MoI to stop intimidating citizens who point out shortcomings in their work |
| Network “Solidarity for the rights of all” | |
| June 14, 2022. | Pride Info Center plastered with neo-Nazi stickers, the Protector of Citizens is asking for an immediate reaction |
| Protector of Citizens |
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT # 2
| The Solidarity Network for the Rights of All presents Semi-Annual Report # 2. The document presents data on attacks and pressures on organizations, informal groups, and activists who advocate for the protection of human rights recorded on the Incident Map, as well as data on free legal aid that is provided to activists and citizens in cases of human rights violations. From January 1 to June 30, 2022, the network recorded 18 attacks and pressures and provided free legal assistance to citizens in 452 cases. |
VOICE OF DEFENDERS
ATTACK STATISTICS IN 2021
CONTACT
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You can report attacks and pressures against your organization and yourself to the contact below with a brief description of the event, date, place and identity of the attacker (if known). We would ask you to submit a contact phone number with the application, at which you can be reached for additional questions. You can report an attack at e-mail: office@yucom.org.rs |
