Cooperation with institutions that call for violence is not possible

Despite our appeals for reasonable behavior, respect for the law, the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly, and the Code of Conduct for members of the Parliament and sanctioning those who commit verbal violence daily, this dangerous practice has continued. After saying that political opponents should be “beaten in the sack,” which called for the physical punishment of political opponents, an MP from the Serbian Progressive Party, Aleksandar Martinović, went a step further and drew a target on the foreheads of the people he mentioned by name and surname. This, as well as the previous speech, passed without any sanctions by the President of the Assembly, which sent a clear message that the legislative body stands with this inadmissible behavior of MP Martinović.

Instead of discussing the vast challenges that Serbia faces in the field of European integration, the state of democracy and the rule of law, national security, and organized crime, to pass laws, control the work of the executive, and to work in the interest of citizens, the National Assembly has become a testing ground for anyone who points to these problems. Thus, this institution has been degraded to the level of the governing party’s body, whose goal is to silence individuals and organizations that have been fighting for a free and democratic Serbia for decades.

BCSP has been promoting human rights, freedom, democracy, integrity, and solidarity in its work for the past 23 years. All these years, whoever was in power, we have worked professionally and responsibly to improve Serbia’s political and social environment. With our expertise, we tried to improve the laws and other norms that regulate citizens’ everyday lives. Due to the situation in which the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia is today, we no longer see it as a possible partner in our endeavors.

We do not agree to communication and cooperation with an institution that no longer performs its essential role but conducts an orchestrated campaign against the citizens in whose name it exists. We do not agree to be a mat for achieving political points, if necessary, and when it is required to show that to Europe – a partner in the EU integration process. Together with citizens, we will continue to contribute to developing a normal country and constantly point out every omission, abuse, and illegal action of every institution that behaves as the National Assembly of Serbia behaves today.