MFRR, SafeJournalists call on Serbian authorities to protect journalists' safety

“Perpetrators of violence and intimidation must be held accountable to ensure a free and safe environment for the media workers in Serbia,” said these two organizations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of journalist Slavko Curuvija’s murder.

They added that “an unprecedented escalation” of threats and attacks against journalists in the Serbian city of Novi Sad “underscores the need for concrete action to protect journalists’ safety in the country.”

“We are deeply alarmed to see the absenteeism of institutions in reacting effectively to these assaults, which exacerbates the risks facing journalists. The revival of insults by politicians in public debates also stresses the need for officials to refrain from targeting journalists,” said these two networks.

They called on the Serbian authorities to prioritize journalists’ safety, and on the international community to join them “in unequivocally condemning the impunity” in the cases of Slavko Curuvija, Milan Pantic and Dada Vujasinovic.

“The recent acquittal of security officers accused of Curuvija’s murder, as well as the escalating attacks against journalists in Novi Sad, underscore the urgent need for authorities to act and protect press freedom in Serbia,” said the statement.

The MFRR and SafeJournalists said “the recent decision by the Belgrade Court of Appeals to acquit former Serbian state security officers implicated in Curuvija’s murder due to alleged lack of evidence is deeply troubling.”

“This shocking verdict, going against previous convictions, has raised our concerns about Serbia’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Taking into account also the unresolved deaths of Milan Pantic in 2001 and Dada Vujasinović in 1994, the general impunity environment demands attention,” said the two networks.