Update
Auditing the voter register: purpose, impact, and where we a...
CRTA+ Voter register audit: only 4 of 69 checks can be performed under current data access CRTA̵...
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty visited Serbia from 18 to 21 May 2026 and issued an end-of-visit statement documenting a broad deterioration of the human rights situation. The Commissioner expressed concern over increasing violence and intimidation against journalists and civil society actors, noting that only five of approximately 200 documented attacks on journalists in 2024 and 2025 resulted in final court judgments. He also highlighted the distorted media market, in which state advertising flows predominantly to pro-government outlets, and a growing number of SLAPPs targeting reporters covering the student protests.
On freedom of assembly, the Commissioner documented excessive use of force against protesters, arrests of peaceful demonstrators, and reports of police protecting masked attackers. He noted that no official investigation has been launched into the alleged sonic weapon attack of 15 March 2025, despite testimonies from over 3,000 citizens. The Commissioner characterized the current climate as one of impunity that has eroded public trust in law enforcement and state institutions.
The Commissioner also raised concern over the treatment of civil society organizations, which are routinely labeled "traitors" or "foreign agents" in pro-government media and by some officials, and warned that this hate speech can trigger physical violence. He called on authorities to implement Venice Commission recommendations on prosecutorial autonomy, noted that the Ombudsman is not fulfilling his mandate, and urged the government to foster an environment for free debate and public participation.
The Commissioner called on the authorities to police the large demonstrations scheduled for 23 May in full compliance with human rights obligations. Three scheduled meetings - with the Minister of Justice, the Minister for Human and Minority Rights, and the Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Interior - were cancelled by the Serbian authorities.
The Commissioner expressed concern over increasing violence and intimidation against journalists and civil society actors
On freedom of assembly, the Commissioner documented excessive use of force against protesters, arrests of peaceful demonstrators, and reports of police protecting masked attackers. He noted that no official investigation has been launched into the alleged sonic weapon attack of 15 March 2025, despite testimonies from over 3,000 citizens. The Commissioner characterized the current climate as one of impunity that has eroded public trust in law enforcement and state institutions.
The Commissioner also raised concern over the treatment of civil society organizations, which are routinely labeled "traitors" or "foreign agents" in pro-government media and by some officials, and warned that this hate speech can trigger physical violence. He called on authorities to implement Venice Commission recommendations on prosecutorial autonomy, noted that the Ombudsman is not fulfilling his mandate, and urged the government to foster an environment for free debate and public participation.
The Commissioner called on the authorities to police the large demonstrations scheduled for 23 May in full compliance with human rights obligations. Three scheduled meetings - with the Minister of Justice, the Minister for Human and Minority Rights, and the Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Interior - were cancelled by the Serbian authorities.
