PRESS RELEASES

The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy has formed an International Advisory Committee consisting of 16 internationally recognized researchers, professors, representatives of the think-tank community, former officials – experts in international relations, defense, security and the rule of law.

We welcome the final verdict acquitting Srdjan Vukša, an activist accused of violating the Law on Public Assembly, on the occasion of organizing last year's protests in Serbia.

The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy hosted a roundtable discussion on the emerging issues and challenges resulting from Chinese industrial development projects in Serbia. Residents of the three affected cities, journalists, experts in the field of environmental protection, human rights activists and representatives of the international community gathered to exchange views on the topic and agreed Chinese investors are responsible for negative effects, but also the Serbian government which has been turning a blind eye to different malpractices for the sake of economic interests.

The management of the crisis caused by the pandemic was marked by many omissions in respecting the legal framework, but also in the organization of the existing health capacities. Complete chaos was prevented only thanks to the efforts of doctors, while citizens, confused by contradictory messages, were left to fend for themselves. This was concluded at a round table organized by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy on June 6.

University of Belgrade – Faculty of Political Science is pleased to announce the first call for applications for the MA in Peace, Security and Development.

The EU should rethink its approach and regain legitimacy in the Western Balkans region, it was pointed out during the event BCSP organized on May 16, in Hague, in cooperation with organized by Leiden University, Central and East European Studies Centre, Peace Analytics and GTGC Conflict, Peace, and Security stream.

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.