An Attack on Civil Society

Mass protests against the proposed lithium mining project in the Jadar Valley in August this year marked a significant escalation. About 30,000 people took to the streets of Belgrade to protest the government’s re-announcement of the opening of the mine by the international company Rio Tinto. Organised by the Association of Environmental Organisations of Serbia, the protest highlighted widespread concerns that the mine would pollute water sources and seriously endanger public health. 

The government’s response was unprecedented, as over the course of just ten days, there were at least 41 arrests or detentions across 17 cities. Many were accused of threatening constitutional order, a serious criminal accusation typically used in cases involving an armed shift of government or attempts to overthrow state authorities. Frequently, individuals sharing information about the protests on social media were summoned to police stations for “informative interviews” and some activists received visits at their homes, accompanied by warnings. At the same time, smear campaigns targeted 39 organisations and 11 international donors, including from the United States and the United Kingdom.  

These measures extended beyond mere suppression of protests; they symbolised an attack on democratic freedoms, such as freedoms of expression, assembly and association. [Read more in the Civic Initiatives report Three Freedoms Under the Magnifying Glass Violations of Basic Human Rights in Serbia, August 16 – August 29, 2024] 

The government’s narrative, portraying dissenters as anti-national, served to justify unlawful arrests and heightened surveillance.  

The methods that were first applied to environmental activists this year are now applied to almost any kind of protest. 

The subsequent events around the tragedy in Novi Sad at the beginning of November of this year underscored the systematic character of the repressions. Following the collapse of the railway station canopy, which resulted in 15 deaths, public protests erupted, demanding accountability. Civic Initiatives recorded 28 arrests and detentions related to these protests. Plainclothes policemen, often without identification, pushed activists into unmarked cars. Some of the detainees were missing for hours while their families and lawyers were unaware of their location. They were questioned by the secret services about the protests and protest organisers. [Read more in the Civic Initiatives report].

For many, the parallels between these and previous events signal an expanding campaign to criminalise civic activism.  

While these protests originated in specific grievances—environmental concerns in one instance, accountability for a public disaster in another—they reflect a broader public dissatisfaction.  

By rallying against decisions made without public consent, the protesters are exposing the state’s undemocratic practices, where decisions are often made in secrecy, and where private interests are prioritised over those of the citizens. The government’s aggressive response to these protests, including smear campaigns and unlawful arrests, reflects its fear of losing control and being held accountable by the public.

Russian and Chinese Influence

Serbia’s alliances with Russia and China have been increasingly shaping the restriction of civic space. Serbia’s cooperation with Russia, particularly in countering ‘colour revolutions,’ reflects a shared strategy to suppress civil society.  Environmental protests have been branded by both governments as foreign-influenced destabilisation attempts, providing the government with a pretext for harsh crackdowns. 

We’ve seen this in action, from the expulsion of Russian activists residing in Serbia, following their public opposition to the war in Ukraine and the political system of Russia, to surveillance of civil society, with high-ranking Serbian officials reportedly aiding Russian authorities in monitoring activists in Serbia. Thus, we witnessed examples of hacker attacks on the devices of representatives of civil society, detention and harassment of activists at border crossings, as well as entry bans on individuals from the region who are critical of the authorities in Serbia, all under the pretext that they represent a threat to Serbia’s national security. 

Chinese influence is equally troubling. In recent years, we’ve documented cases where Chinese companies’ private security forces have harassed environmental activists and journalists reporting on working conditions. Contracts signed between Serbian authorities and Chinese companies are opaque, shielding the environmental impact and labour conditions from public view. It appears our government is adopting the repressive tactics already in place in these countries, leading to further violations of citizens’ rights in Serbia.

[Read more in the Civic Initiatives Report: “Weaponizing Influence: How Russia’s and China’s Soft Power Clashes Serbia’s Civil Society using Lithium Controversies”].

The Impact on Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society in Serbia

The consequences for Serbian civil society have been profound. Human rights defenders face an array of challenges, from direct threats and surveillance to smear campaigns that expose sensitive personal information. 

Alongside the pressures on environmental activists, we’ve seen an even more dangerous campaign by government officials and pro-regime media against civil society organisations. The new practice of publishing confidential financial data, including the names and salaries of employees in organisations, on pro-government television is a threat to the security and work of organisations and individuals. 

Equally concerning is the government’s frequent mentions of “foreign agent” legislation with some officials discussing this openly in parliament this year.

If adopted, this law would further worsen the state of human rights in Serbia. It would expose media workers and employees of civil society organisations to physical danger by stigmatising them as agents of foreign influence working to undermine state order. The societal impact would be profound, as it could lead to the shutdown of civil society organisations and significantly narrow the space for their activities. Civil society organisations play a vital role in promoting transparency, safeguarding democracy, and holding the government accountable. Additionally, they are essential providers of critical social services that benefit communities across Serbia.

Despite all the repressive tactics, activists continue to resist, we continue to fight for the basic human rights and values we believe in. Repression aims to scare citizens from joining the common fight against authoritarianism, non-transparency and the fight for democracy and the rule of law. However, repression sometimes backfires, inspiring people to join the cause rather than retreat.

Civic Initiatives has responded by strengthening alliances within the civil sector and launching new tools, such as an online alert system, to track and respond to institutional pressure on activists. Documentation of abuses remains a cornerstone of their advocacy.  

Urging International Support for Serbian Activists

The role of the international community is crucial. The international community should publicly condemn any violations of human rights and call on Serbian authorities to uphold democratic principles. For many in Serbia, the perceived lack of international support, especially from the European Union, has been disheartening.

Serbia’s EU candidate status places a particular responsibility on the EU to monitor developments closely and respond accordingly, ensuring that Serbia adheres to the democratic principles and human rights standards expected of future member states.

We believe the Green Agenda cannot be pursued at the expense of human rights and environmental justice in candidate countries.

International support and pressure on Serbia’s institutions can reinforce the position of civil society and activists, ensuring we do not feel abandoned in this struggle.