UN Human Experts Alert: Anti-terrorism Laws are being Misused to Crack Down on Civic Space in Serbia

The human rights experts addressed their concerns about using surveillance powers by the Serbian government to obtain banking and financial information on transactions of over 50 NGOs, media associations, and individuals. In a statement, they noted that the unjustified use of the Serbian Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism interferes with the citizens’ freedoms of expression and association and disrupt their right in the conduct of public affairs. Recalling states’ obligation to adopt national legislation to combat the financing of terrorism in compliance with international law, they argue that the use of the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing is inconsistent with Serbia’s obligations under international law. Targeting civil society contradicts fundamental human rights and endangers security in either country. Read more here.

Source: OHCHR/BCSDN