Project duration: July 1 – December 31, 2025
Donor: Human Rights House Foundation – HRHF
Project value: 19.950,00 EUR
Partner: Human Rights House Zagreb

Project overview:

This project will aim to strengthen the protection and rights of victims of hate crimes and discrimination within Serbia’s criminal justice system. Through a systematic review of court verdicts and prosecutorial decisions from 2019 to 2024, the YUCOM team will analyze how cases involving racial, national, and religious discrimination are handled in practice, with a particular focus on the recognition of bias motivation and the treatment.

Implemented in cooperation with Human Rights House Zagreb, the project will include a regional peer review and exchange of experiences, drawing on Croatia’s practice in applying EU legal standards on victims’ rights and combating hate crime. Based on the findings, the partners will jointly develop evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving victim protection, strengthening institutional practice, and aligning Serbian legislation and practice with European standards.

The project will conclude with an online panel discussion bringing together relevant stakeholders from the region to discuss the recommendations, highlight comparative legal experiences and reform paths, and encourage alignment with EU standards in the protection of victims and the fight against discrimination.