News
Reports
Visits
Letters
Letters
Commissioner highlights key steps to better respect the rights of victims and deal with the past in the region of the former Yugoslavia
In her letters to the Prime Ministers of the Council of Europe member states in the region of the former Yugoslavia, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, recommends specific steps to be taken to deal with the violent past and move more resolutely toward social...
Country visit report
Serbia: step up efforts to face the past, safeguard freedom of expression and assembly and protect women from violence
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, published today the report following her visit to Serbia in March 2023, with recommendations focusing on transitional justice and dealing with the past, freedom of expression and assembly and women’s rights and gender equality. ...
Country visit
Serbia: more efforts needed to face the past, increase safety of journalists and human rights defenders, and protect women from violence
“It is high time for Serbia to face the legacy of the past, to protect media freedom and freedom of assembly, and to fulfil its commitments on women’s rights and gender equality” said today Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of a visit to the country...
Statement
Serbian authorities should withdraw the ban on Europride march and protect participants
“It is highly regrettable that the Serbian authorities have decided to ban the Europride march scheduled for 17 September. Weeks of uncertainty concerning the holding of this march have sent a wrong message to the public and made space for hateful rhetoric and more threats against LGBTI people,...
Statement
Witnesses in proceedings relating to crimes committed during the wars of the 1990s in the former Yugoslavia must be effectively protected and supported
The provision of effective protection and support for witnesses in the context of wartime-related criminal proceedings is instrumental to the fight against impunity for the crimes committed during the wars of the 1990s in the former Yugoslavia. However, over recent days, the name of a protected...
Statement
Commissioner calls for effective investigations into cases of police violence in Belgrade
“The violent dispersal of demonstrators by the Serbian police in Belgrade yesterday raises serious human rights concerns”, said today the Commissioner. “Police violence or disproportionate use of force must never be tolerated, even when operations aimed at maintaining public order during...
Statement
25th anniversary of Tuzla massacre: Ensuring justice for past crimes must be one of the top political priorities in the region
Today we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the massacre of Tuzla, where a grenade fired by the Army of the Republika Srpska killed 71 people and injured more than 130. It is important to commemorate the victims and survivors of that atrocious crime and remember the suffering of their families....
Letter
The Commissioner calls on Serbia to ensure that its draft legislation concerning life imprisonment is compliant with the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice of Serbia, Nela Kuburović, published today, the Commissioner calls on the authorities to reconsider the draft legislation introducing the sentence of life imprisonment without eligibility for conditional release for persons convicted of some of the...
Speech
Commissioner’s message for the Pride Forum Serbia 2018
The Commissioner addressed the Pride Forum Serbia 2018 in Belgrade today via video message. Download the speech CommDH/Speech(2018)8_EN as pdf Watch the video on Youtube Dear friends, It is a pleasure for me to participate in the opening of your event through this video. The protection and...
Country visit
Serbia: Concerted efforts needed to address the legacy of the past, protect media freedoms and ensure inclusive education
“Serbia has to move forward resolutely in addressing the legacy of the past, establish an adequate environment for media work and overcome the remaining obstacles to inclusive education.” said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, following a four-day follow-up...
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Republic of Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- The Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russian Federation*
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Kosovo**
* On 16 March 2022, the Committee of Ministers adopted a decision by which the Russian Federation ceased to be a member of the Council of Europe, after 26 years of membership.
** All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.