In April 2025, a group of United Nations Special Rapporteurs sent a formal communication to the Government of Serbia raising concerns over a series of alleged actions affecting journalists, human rights defenders, environmental activists, and civil society organizations. The communication was issued under multiple UN mandates and addresses reported violations related to privacy, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and the safety of human rights defenders.
According to the information received by the Special Rapporteurs, Serbian authorities allegedly engaged in a range of practices including the collection of personal financial data of activists, the use of surveillance and spyware against journalists and activists, criminalization of environmental protests, smear campaigns in pro-government media, and police actions targeting civil society organizations, including raids on NGO premises. The communication documents these allegations in detail, noting that many of the individuals and organizations affected have been publicly critical of government policies.
The communication further highlights concerns over violations of privacy and risks to personal safety, particularly where sensitive personal data were seized from civil society organizations. It stresses that the public stigmatization of civil society actors — including labeling them as “foreign agents” or collaborators of foreign interests — increases the risk of harassment and physical attacks. The Special Rapporteurs recall Serbia’s obligations under international human rights law and request information from the Government on steps taken to protect journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations from intimidation, surveillance, and other forms of pressure.
According to the information received by the Special Rapporteurs, Serbian authorities allegedly engaged in a range of practices including the collection of personal financial data of activists, the use of surveillance and spyware against journalists and activists, criminalization of environmental protests, smear campaigns in pro-government media, and police actions targeting civil society organizations, including raids on NGO premises. The communication documents these allegations in detail, noting that many of the individuals and organizations affected have been publicly critical of government policies.
Without prejudging the accuracy of the allegations, the Special Rapporteurs state that, when viewed cumulatively, the reported actions appear to constitute a systematic campaign aimed at discrediting and intimidating human rights defenders, election observers, journalists, and pro-democracy organizations in Serbia.
They warn that surveillance, spyware use, coordinated media attacks, and the deployment of armed police contribute to an atmosphere of fear, resulting in shrinking civic space, reduced media freedom, self-censorship, and backsliding in the enjoyment of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression.The communication further highlights concerns over violations of privacy and risks to personal safety, particularly where sensitive personal data were seized from civil society organizations. It stresses that the public stigmatization of civil society actors — including labeling them as “foreign agents” or collaborators of foreign interests — increases the risk of harassment and physical attacks. The Special Rapporteurs recall Serbia’s obligations under international human rights law and request information from the Government on steps taken to protect journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations from intimidation, surveillance, and other forms of pressure.
