BCSP Sandbox Conference Addresses Rising Digital Repression and Builds Resilience for Human Rights Defenders in Serbia and Beyond

The three-day event convened human rights defenders, activists and experts to confront escalating threats against civil society in Serbia and the wider region. Through panels, workshops, and discussions, participants explored digital repression, legal challenges  and strategies to strengthen resilience.

The conference opened with a call to action, spotlighting the deteriorating environment for defenders amid democratic backsliding and heightened digital surveillance. The opening panel emphasised the urgent need for donors and support networks to innovate their approaches in response to new technological threats. Discussions examined current support limitations and proposed novel funding models and cross-border alliances to better protect activists working under hostile conditions. The first day ended with a welcome reception fostering informal networking and solidarity.

The second day began with a powerful session amplifying the voices of those directly targeted by spyware and digital surveillance. Activists shared personal accounts of the impact of invasive technologies on their safety, activism and trust, underscoring the human cost of digital repression. A practical workshop followed, mapping the threats faced by defenders and developing rapid response and advocacy strategies tailored to the regional context. Later, a panel addressed the pressing need to align national legislation with international standards on surveillance, highlighting legal gaps and advocating for greater transparency and accountability. The day also featured a discussion on the Pall Mall Process, an international initiative aiming to strengthen protections for defenders and concluded with a keynote speech emphasising the global responsibility to safeguard the right to peaceful assembly and association.

The final day opened with a roundtable reflecting on the implications of recent reports documenting the use of spyware against civil society in Serbia. Civil society representatives debated the responsibilities of states and international actors in responding to these abuses, focusing on actionable steps such as diplomatic engagement and export controls. A hands-on workshop provided participants with practical training in digital and physical security, equipping them with tools to enhance their safety and resilience against cyber threats. The conference concluded with a strategic roundtable, where participants synthesised insights from the previous sessions and collaboratively defined a roadmap for future action. The discussion emphasised the importance of strategic litigation, the development of protection protocols and the creation of joint advocacy platforms to counter ongoing threats.

The conference also featured a Digital Security Clinic, where a team of phone forensic experts was available on site to confidentially examine participants’ devices for potential infections or signs of cyberattacks. All checks were carried out following the highest standards of personal data protection, ensuring participants’ privacy and security throughout the process. This service provided valuable support to defenders seeking to safeguard their digital safety during the event.

Throughout the conference, participants consistently emphasised the importance of solidarity, sharing knowledge and working together. This collective spirit laid the groundwork for building a stronger, more connected community of human rights defenders ready to face the growing challenges ahead.