Bar Association of Serbia: Authorities, Institutions Must Protect Protesters

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The Bar Association of Serbia said on March 13 that according to the Constitution and its laws but also international treaties, Serbia had an obligation to protect the right to life and the right to physical integrity in every possible way.

After a string of reports in the media, images and footage showing that there was a risk of organized violence being used against citizens during a protest scheduled to be held in Belgrade on March 15, the Association said that it was its duty to point this out as "the Public Prosecutor's Office has said nothing on this issue."

The Association pointed out that the Serbian Constitution stated that human life was sacrosanct and that the physical and psychological integrity of a citizen were inviolable. "Attacking the life and physical integrity of citizens attending peaceful gatherings by officials performing their duties poses a serious crime. Officials must not act on orders to commit a crime, nor does the fact that an order to commit a crime was carried out free someone from criminal liability," the Bar Association of Serbia said in a statement.

"We call on all citizens including the representatives and members of state bodies and organizations to refrain from actions that threaten or violate a citizen's life or physical integrity at protests scheduled for March 15, 2025 in Belgrade, and we especially call on the representatives and members of the relevant state bodies and organizations to undertake all measures and actions in their power to absolutely protect the life and physical integrity of citizens," the Association said.