We present a report on capturing the security sector in Serbia, which aims to document and deconstruct the ongoing process of capturing the state.

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.

Are we witnessing a new arms race in the Western Balkans between Serbia and Croatia, or is that just a show by politicians to boost their domestic standing? Read more about that topic in the latest analysis by BCSP researchers Vuk Vuksanović and Marija Ignjatijević.

BCSP warns the public that the draft Law on Foreign Affairs, if it does not undergo profound changes, will increase the power of the President in conducting foreign policy to the detriment of the Government and the discretionary power of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and reduce the transparency of the Ministry, as well as centralize the supervision of all affairs related to foreign relations. Such a law would be another step toward formalizing the President's role beyond his Constitutional competencies, thus taking over the institutions responsible for formulating and implementing foreign policy.

The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) warns the public that the Draft Law on Internal Affairs contains numerous provisions that, if left unchanged, will jeopardize citizens' guaranteed rights and security, and despite cosmetic changes, preserve political influence on the police work. Therefore, BCSP asks the Ministry of Interior to consider the comments received from organizations in the public debate and prevent potential damage resulting from the Draft's adoption.

Regarding the frequent official and informal calls on civil society organizations to get involved in the consultation process with the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue for drafting The National Strategy for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development in the Republic of Serbia, we remind that the intolerant atmosphere towards civil society, due to which civil society organizations made their decision not to participate in this process in April of this year, has not changed.

How did statements of officials and the official policy of Serbia towards the pandemic influence the reduction of individual freedoms and rights, and the undemocratic behavior of the government was the subject of an online discussion organized by the BCSP on June 15, 2021.

How did the crisis management of the coronavirus pandemic led to the "covidocracy" – continuation of capturing the state? Find out in the latest BCBP analysis.

The working conditions deteriorated significantly in 2020 – not only those of civil society organisations (CSOs), but of all social actors who, in performing their activities, express critical views of the current political or social situation in Serbia. More about this topic, find out in the case study written by Bojana Selaković from Civic Initiatives.