The protection of human rights, as YUCOM’s core mission, involves continuous monitoring of human rights and freedoms, collaborating with institutions to improve them, and challenging institutions when they fail to uphold human rights standards.

Monitoring the state of human rights means providing every individual with the opportunity to approach us confidentially and share their experiences. Trust in YUCOM has been earned by consistently addressing both simple and complex legal questions, and sometimes, simply by listening to unresolved issues. This trust forms the foundation of our free legal aid database, a key measure of Serbian citizens’ legal needs.

We have made legal answers to various questions available on the “Open Doors of Judiciary” website, written by us and other legal experts. Through this, we have shaped and continue to shape the legal culture of our citizens, empowering them to protect their rights with institutional support.

Our cooperation with judicial authorities has expanded as a result of this openness. By engaging inadm inistrative bodies and the Administrative Court, we have initiated discussions on how to resolve challenges, making it easier for citizens to access their rights, from pensions to care for vulnerable groups. At special forums – round tables – we addressed sensitive topics, including the judiciary’s response to CSO initiatives aimed at stopping harmful administrative actions.

Cooperation was also realized through our recognized role as observers of reforms initiated by recent constitutional amendments, which aim to strengthen the independence of judges and public prosecutors. These reforms shape the operation of courts and public prosecutor’s offices, and our understanding of these processes has allowed us to track progress in protecting judicial independence. YUCOM closely monitors judicial elections, and the pressures placed on outspoken members of the judiciary. As a result, we have positioned ourselves as protectors and allies of judges and prosecutors who demonstrate integrity and uphold citizens’ rights to fair trials.

Efforts to protect human rights are almost always joint activity. A strong civil society is crucial for democracy and human rights in Serbia. Protecting citizens also means defending those who advocate in the public interest, from civil society organizations to individual human rights defenders