Dozens of Serbian civil society and media organizations said they were cutting off all cooperation with the legislative and executive authorities. Pročitaj više

A statement said that the Serbian authorities have been consistently moving away from basic democratic standards and the principles of the rule of law for years and added that the 28 organizations which signed the statement are halting all forms of collaboration with the legislative and executive branches of government. “We are withdrawing from both formal and informal membership in government working groups and ministries, as well as in other permanent or ad hoc bodies in which we have been involved,” the statement said.

It said that they realized that formal inclusion of civil society only serves to perpetuate false democratic processes initiated by the authorities.

“In practice, the protection of human rights and freedoms has been in constant decline for a long time, which has become even more apparent today as the authorities attempt in every way to suppress student protests and evade fulfilling demands that should not be contentious for anyone whose interest lies in Serbia being a lawful state,” the statement added.

According to the civil society organizations, the importance of the protests led by Serbian students cannot be overstated, “particularly because it focuses on holding institutions and public officials accountable as the cornerstone of a functioning society”. “Thanks to the students, an increasing number of people are realizing that there can be no prosperity for Serbia until institutions begin to operate within their mandates and until the concentration of power in the hands of the unaccountable is reduced. We unconditionally support all the students’ demands,” the statement said.

It said that civil society organizations and independent journalists and media have been subjected to pressure, threats, and hate campaigns for too long, including the misuse of security services against activists, journalists, and government critics. It warned that hostility towards the civil sector has become institutional through the draft law on a special register of foreign agents, modeled on Russia and Belarus.

“We will not waver in our commitment to restore the institutions of the Republic of Serbia to their rightful mandates and to the citizens. We will continue to monitor decision-making processes and regularly inform the public about their effects, as well as employ all legal, administrative, and other mechanisms aimed at protecting human rights and the interests of citizens,” the statement said.

It was signed by:

1. A11 – Initiative for Economic and Social Rights
2. Alternative Girls’ Center
3. ASTRA – Action Against Human Trafficking
4. Media Association

5. Online Media Association
6. Autonomous Women’s Center
7. Belgrade Center for Security Policy
8. Belgrade Center for Human Rights

9. Center for Contemporary Politics
10. Crta
11. European Movement in Serbia
12. FemPlatz

13. Civic Initiatives
14. Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
15. Youth Initiative for Human Rights
16. Initiative for the Rights of Persons with Mental Disabilities MDRI

17. Ministry of Space Collective
18. Committee of Lawyers for Human Rights – YUCOM
19. International Assistance Network IAN
20. National Coalition for Decentralization

21. Independent Journalists’ Society of Vojvodina
22. Independent Journalists Association of Serbia NUNS
23. Partners for Democratic Change Serbia
24. PIN – Network for Psychosocial Innovations

25. Polekol – Organization for Political Ecology
26. Regulatory Institute for Renewable Energy and Environment – RERI
27. SHARE Foundation
28. Slavko Ćuruvija Foundation