ACTIVITIES

The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) organized a panel entitled “Consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war: continuous war or terrifying peace” that gather four distinguish panelists from Ukraine, Russia, and Brussels, aiming to identify strategic consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine on Europe, Balkans and for Ukraine and Russia. The panel was moderated by the BCSP senior researcher Mr. Vuk Vuksanović, with opening remarks made by the BCSP director, Mr. Igor Bandović.

Only in the first 10 months of 2021 in Serbia, 21,000 more citizens died than in the same period of 2020. Last year, 136,000 citizens of Serbia died, which is 18% more than in 2020, which, according to statistical data, is the worst year since the end of the Second World War. By the end of February 2022, 147 doctors had died from coronavirus. This was highlighted at today's conference organized by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy and the Union of Doctors and Pharmacists of Serbia.

Defense topics are most often sensationalized, leading to militaristic narratives in the region. For the sake of greater trust in the region, it is necessary to discuss these topics based on facts. This was highlighted during a discussion held on Monday, March 14, where the Balkan Defense Monitor, a pioneering comparative report on defense systems in the Western Balkans, was presented.

The organisations gathered around the Three Freedoms Platform fiercely condemn the aggression of the Russian Federation on Ukraine and warn that a blatant violation of international law norms is at hand. We call upon the international stakeholders and humanitarian organisations to do all in their powers to prevent further suffering of the civilian population, and upon the relevant institutions of the Republic of Serbia to contribute to that end, as well as to prepare for providing assistance to the people fleeing their homes. Also, we call upon the institutions of the Republic of Serbia to join other European countries and condemn the aggression of the Russian Federation on Ukraine. This is one of the important moments of the European solidarity and Serbia, if it wishes to be part of the European Union, must demonstrate that its shares the EU values.

During the internship program, BCSP interns participated in a series of practical workshops where they had the opportunity to learn about the concept of public policies, improve their communication skills, learn about advocacy, and try themselves in project writing.

To improve the position of human trafficking and smuggling victims, there needs to be a systematic collaboration between the government and NGOs, where the civil society organizations that provide help and support to victims would also be recognized by the state institutions as their partners who would have the necessary positions and resources. Because of the fact that human trafficking and smuggling is a transnational problem, international cooperation is of the utmost importance, but it can only be achieved by insisting on the rule of law and respecting human rights at the border. This is the conclusion of the discussion "When people become merchandise: the position of human trafficking victims,” held on 22 February, marking the European day for victims of crime organized by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy along with partners within the Western Balkans Organized Crime Radar network.

In the last few years, Islamist extremism in Serbia is decreasing but far-right extremism is on the rise. Although there is the will in the community and among the citizens to work on this problem, greater progress is not possible without the assistance of the state, which has not shown interest in this problem so far. These are the main conclusions of the discussion "Towards a better strategic response to extremism in Serbia", organized by the BCSP on February 11 in cooperation with the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, the Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights and the National Convention on the EU.

The year behind us was filled with serious challenges. The pandemic we are facing as humanity has been accompanied by a struggle to preserve the core values we follow. We have defended human rights, democracy, and the principles on which well-ordered state and society must rest. Together with you, we have raised important issues, awakened new energy and influenced change. Thank you for that! We know that in the next year, in which we will celebrate our 25th birthday, you will continue to be our greatest allies in building a safe and free community in solidarity.

A group of civil society organisations and experts hereby points out that the way laws and by-laws are passed, amended and abolished shows a true picture of the catastrophic state of democracy in Serbia. The content, enactment and urgent abolishment of the decree stipulating that scientific and other research of importance for the country's defense, conducted in cooperation with foreign entities, will require the approval of competent authorities, violates all principles of democracy, rule of law and freedom of expression.