Roundtable Discussion: How to De-capture a State?

State capture is a concept that denotes the internal political and socio-economic situation in Serbia. It implies the collapse of the division of power, the unavailability of institutions for citizens, and the exploitation of positions of power and authority for the sake of personal gain. This political endeavor has been carried out in Serbia for years and has gradually spread to almost all sectors of society. Starting from the security-intelligence system in Serbia, through the army, police, and legislature, to the media and civil society, a narrow circle of individuals at the top of the government established control over the aforementioned sectors, realising not only financial gains but also a complete concentration of power in their hands. 

The fight against state capture requires continuous efforts to strengthen and liberate institutions and ensure transparency and accountability of government. To start the process of state de-capture, the main recommendations concerning the security sector, foreign policy, parliament, and the media will be presented during the roundtable discussion. How to reform the security and intelligence system of Serbia so that it becomes independent from the interests of individuals in power? How to ensure transparency in the military and defence industry to prevent corruption? How to implement the professionalisation of the diplomatic service? How to improve the situation in the media and contribute to free and independent reporting? These are some of the questions that will be raised during the discussion. 

  

AGENDA

2:00 – 2:05  

Opening Remarks: 

Igor Bandović, Director, Belgrade Centre for Security Policy  

 

2:05 – 2:35 

Presentation of Recommendations: 

Predrag Petrović, security services 

Bojan Elek, police 

Jelena Pejić Nikić, special de-capturing mechanisms  

Vuk Vuksanović, defence 

Luka Šterić, foreign policy 

Srđan Hercigonja, oversight and control of the security sector 

  

2:35 – 2:45 

Deliberation on Recommendations:  

Reinhard Priebe, legal expert (online) 

Simonida Kacarska, European Policy Institute, North Macedonia (online) 

  

2:45 – 3:30 

Discussion 

  

3:30 – 4:00 

Coffee break 

 

Simultaneously with the state and society capture process, similar processes are taking place in the digital space, threatening basic human rights and freedoms. The increasing reliance of citizens on digital technologies and devices has motivated both states and private actors to reach for various tools for the digital surveillance of citizens. This includes thousands of high-resolution cameras installed throughout Belgrade, which can use software for automatic facial recognition, programs for monitoring digital devices used by security services in Serbia, and other mechanisms that harm citizens’ rights and quality of life. 

In the second part of the roundtable discussion, the opening remarks on the trend of capture in the digital space will be given by: 

  

4:00 – 4:30 

Danilo Ćurčić, Program Director, A 11 – Initiative for Economic and Social Rights 

Andrej Petrovski, Director of Tech at SHARE Foundation 

Maja Bjeloš, Senior BCSP Researcher  

  

4:30 – 5:00 

Discussion 

  

Please confirm your attendance and register via this link by Monday, June 19.