In its 2024 country report on Serbia, Amnesty International documented a continued deterioration in the protection of human rights, with a particular focus on pressure against protesters, journalists, and civil society actors, and the absence of accountability for serious abuses. The report situates these developments in a broader context of democratic backsliding, weak institutional safeguards, and the increasing use of legal, administrative, and informal pressure to silence dissent.
Amnesty reports that protesters and journalists faced intimidation, harassment, and vexatious lawsuits for peacefully engaging on issues of public interest. Environmental protests, particularly those opposing lithium mining in the Jadar valley, were heavily policed, with demonstrators subjected to excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, and criminal charges carrying disproportionate penalties. Investigative journalists, human rights defenders, and activists continued to be targeted through strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), as well as coordinated smear campaigns in pro-government media. Amnesty notes that more than 150 threats and attacks against journalists were recorded during the year.
The report highlights growing concerns over freedom of expression and media freedom, including public attacks on civil society organizations and independent outlets by pro-government broadcasters and senior officials. Amnesty documents cases where organizations were accused of acting on behalf of foreign governments, accompanied by the public disclosure of sensitive financial information. It also notes repeated calls by government officials for the introduction of a “foreign agents law”, raising concerns about further restrictions on civic space.
Amnesty further reports on serious violations of the right to peaceful assembly, including arbitrary detentions, house searches, and seizures of personal devices targeting activists for participating in or commenting on protests. In December, Amnesty found evidence of the use of unlawful spyware and invasive digital forensic techniques against activists and independent journalists. Following the publication of these findings, civil society organizations filed criminal complaints against Serbian authorities, including the police and the Security Information Agency, alleging illegal surveillance and data abuse.
On truth, justice, and accountability, Amnesty finds no credible progress in addressing war crimes committed during the 1990s. More than 1,700 war crimes cases remained under investigation, while key trials — including proceedings related to crimes committed in Srebrenica — continued to face repeated delays.
The report documents persistent discrimination affecting Roma, LGBTI people, refugees, and migrants. Roma communities, particularly those living in informal settlements, continued to experience deep social exclusion and limited access to education, healthcare, and basic services. LGBTI people remained without legal gender recognition based on self-determination, and cases of police ill-treatment, including against gay and transgender individuals, were not followed by credible investigations. Refugees and migrants, although fewer in number than in previous years, remained vulnerable to abuse, violence, and unlawful returns.
Overall, Amnesty International concludes that systemic pressure on dissent, weak accountability mechanisms, and entrenched discrimination continued to undermine the enjoyment of fundamental rights in Serbia in 2024, with little indication of meaningful institutional reform or political willingness to reverse these trends.
Amnesty reports that protesters and journalists faced intimidation, harassment, and vexatious lawsuits for peacefully engaging on issues of public interest. Environmental protests, particularly those opposing lithium mining in the Jadar valley, were heavily policed, with demonstrators subjected to excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, and criminal charges carrying disproportionate penalties. Investigative journalists, human rights defenders, and activists continued to be targeted through strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), as well as coordinated smear campaigns in pro-government media. Amnesty notes that more than 150 threats and attacks against journalists were recorded during the year.
The report highlights growing concerns over freedom of expression and media freedom, including public attacks on civil society organizations and independent outlets by pro-government broadcasters and senior officials. Amnesty documents cases where organizations were accused of acting on behalf of foreign governments, accompanied by the public disclosure of sensitive financial information. It also notes repeated calls by government officials for the introduction of a “foreign agents law”, raising concerns about further restrictions on civic space.
Amnesty further reports on serious violations of the right to peaceful assembly, including arbitrary detentions, house searches, and seizures of personal devices targeting activists for participating in or commenting on protests. In December, Amnesty found evidence of the use of unlawful spyware and invasive digital forensic techniques against activists and independent journalists. Following the publication of these findings, civil society organizations filed criminal complaints against Serbian authorities, including the police and the Security Information Agency, alleging illegal surveillance and data abuse.
On truth, justice, and accountability, Amnesty finds no credible progress in addressing war crimes committed during the 1990s. More than 1,700 war crimes cases remained under investigation, while key trials — including proceedings related to crimes committed in Srebrenica — continued to face repeated delays.
Amnesty also notes Serbia’s opposition to a UN General Assembly resolution establishing 11 July as the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide, describing this stance as indicative of a broader failure to confront the past.
The report documents persistent discrimination affecting Roma, LGBTI people, refugees, and migrants. Roma communities, particularly those living in informal settlements, continued to experience deep social exclusion and limited access to education, healthcare, and basic services. LGBTI people remained without legal gender recognition based on self-determination, and cases of police ill-treatment, including against gay and transgender individuals, were not followed by credible investigations. Refugees and migrants, although fewer in number than in previous years, remained vulnerable to abuse, violence, and unlawful returns.
Overall, Amnesty International concludes that systemic pressure on dissent, weak accountability mechanisms, and entrenched discrimination continued to undermine the enjoyment of fundamental rights in Serbia in 2024, with little indication of meaningful institutional reform or political willingness to reverse these trends.
