UN Experts: Serbia Must Stop Attacks on Journalists
Attacks on journalists and independent media outlets in Serbia have escalated over the past year, United Nations experts warned today, calling on the government to end the impunity of those responsible for these criminal acts.
“We condemn the ongoing threats and attacks against journalists in Serbia, which appear to be occurring within a broader, seemingly state-sponsored narrative against independent media, including N1 and other outlets from the United Media group,” the experts stated.
High-ranking government officials have made threatening and other derogatory statements regarding independent journalists in the country, labeling them as fraudsters and characterizing their work as terrorism.
“Such rhetoric from public officials is dangerous. It can be interpreted as tacit approval for attacks on journalists and widely opens the door to future threats and assaults,” they emphasized.
Independent journalists are now facing almost daily threats, including death threats, and feel unsafe while reporting in public spaces. Journalists covering protests and gatherings have been subjected to verbal and physical assaults. The police often do not intervene or apprehend the perpetrators, and have prevented journalists from reporting even when they were wearing clearly marked vests labeled “press.”
“The rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, including the right of all to be informed, are even more crucial in times of crisis. Serbia must put an end to these threats against independent media and ensure accountability for attacks on journalists,” the experts stated. “Impunity for perpetrators encourages these attacks.”
“Independent media are not enemies of the state, but a crucial element of functional democracies.”
The experts are in contact with the Government of Serbia regarding this matter.
Source: OHCHR (translation by NUNS)
