This joint statement was originally published by members of the Regional Network of Human Rights Houses in Southeastern Europe on 25 February 2024 read it in Serbian.
This action serves no purpose other than to intimidate human rights organisations and repress citizens who critically examine government actions while advocating for democracy, the rule of law, and human rights. It is yet another example of the regime’s abuse of the police for political purposes. If the state’s true intention were to audit financial operations, it would follow proper procedures led by the relevant financial institutions – rather than staging a media spectacle with dozens of armed police officers raiding civil society organisations.
This behaviour is unacceptable in a democratic society and directly contradicts the European values that Serbia, as an EU candidate country, should respect and uphold. We therefore call on European institutions – primarily the European Commission and Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos – as well as EU member states to respond immediately and issue an unequivocal political condemnation of this act of repression and the misuse of police forces to intimidate dissenters. This is not how the police of a country aspiring to join the European Union should operate.
For media statements, please contact: Human Rights House Belgrade – Dragoslava Barzut at e-mail: dragoslava@gradjanske.org, Human Rights House Banja Luka – Aleksandar Žolja at e-mail: kontakt@kucaljudskihprava.org and Human Rights House Zagreb – Ivan Novosel at e-mail: kontakt@kucaljudskihprava.hr.
