The rights to freedom of assembly and expression are fundamental components of a democratic society and serve as key mechanisms for civic participation and political engagement. Their protection and implementation in Serbia have been particularly significant in the context of frequent public assemblies over the past five years.
Between late 2018 and 2024, Serbia experienced a series of mass assemblies reflecting widespread citizen dissatisfaction with the political situation, the functioning of state institutions, media freedoms, environmental concerns, and the overall state of human rights. Although the assemblies were sparked by a variety of issues – including political violence and electoral manipulation, pandemic-related measures, environmental challenges, and accidents caused by infrastructural deficiencies – they collectively highlighted citizens’ shared demand for greater institutional accountability, protection of fundamental rights, and more transparent governance.
Despite government efforts to undermine the significance of these assemblies through media and institutional pressures, they shaped Serbia’s political landscape and raised important questions about the limits of freedom of expression, the role of the media, police accountability, and access to justice for citizens who took part in them. Independent media and social networks played a key role in informing and mobilizing the public, while the authorities sought to discredit civic assembly movements by portraying them as driven by the opposition or by foreign actors.
The institutional response to these large-scale assemblies – including the actions of the police, the judiciary, and independent bodies – reflects the state of democratic standards, he rule of law, and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights in Serbia.
Particularly concerning are patterns of excessive use of force, selective sanctioning, and the inadequate safeguarding of the rights of participants and detained individuals.
The aim of this analysis is to provide a comprehensive overview of the actions of key institutions in the context of public assemblies and the exercise of the right to freely express opinions and views. By assessing the legal framework and its implementation in practice, the analysis will examine institutional patterns in handling major assemblies from 2019 to 2024. Particular attention will be given to related rights, such as the right to freedom of expression, the rights to liberty and security, the protection of personal data, and the procedural rights of individuals subject to the actions of competent authorities.
Based on the analysis of legal norms, case law, documented rights violations, and insights from interviews with representatives of civil society, the judiciary, and the media, this document seeks to identify systemic challenges and informal influences shaping institutional responses. Using these findings, it provides recommendations to improve institutional performance, safeguard democratic values, and strengthen accountability mechanisms in the actions of competent authorities.
The analysis of institutional responses regarding the freedom of assembly and expression in Serbia is based on a combined methodological approach, which includes:
– The review of the legal framework;
– The examination of institutional practices;
– The collection of data through requests for access to information of public importance; and,
– In-depth qualitative interviews with relevant stakeholders.
The research aimed to provide an overview of how institutions implement laws related to the freedom of assembly and expression, to identify key challenges in the enforcement of these regulations, and to serve as a basis for developing recommendations to improve institutional practices. Recommendations arising from this research