United Nations (UN), Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) (2018), Concluding Observations on the Combined Second to Fifth Periodic Reports of Serbia, 3 January 2018.

Country

Serbia

Title

United Nations (UN), Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) (2018), Concluding Observations on the Combined Second to Fifth Periodic Reports of Serbia, 3 January 2018.

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Year

2018

Type of publication

Report

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

UN body

Institution

CERD

Main Thematic Focus

Racism & xenophobia Hate crime Integration & inclusion

Target Population

General population Migrants Refugees & asylum seekers

Key findings

The document acknowledges Serbia’s effort to enact legislation that proscribes hate speech and hate crimes. It also welcomes the solution that both juridical and non-juridical bodies (national human rights institutions) are in charge of addressing these offenses. However, the CERD is concerned about the paucity of information regarding complaints of racial discrimination submitted to the Ombudsperson. The CERD is alarmed by the rise in hate speech against ethnic and ethno-religious minorities, by the persistent incidents of racist speech and behavior at sporting events and by accounts that authorities have failed to intervene in a timely manner during such incidents. There are indications that hate speech remains underreported and that comprehensive statistics on investigations, prosecutions and convictions for acts of racist hate speech and incitement to racial hatred are lacking. The CERD is also concerned that the incitement to hatred at sporting events or public assemblies is criminalized only if it leads to violence or physical conflict. The CERD is very alarmed by reports indicating that one-third of registered homeless persons in Serbia are Roma and that 60,000 Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians live in informal dwellings, often without access to drinking water and sanitation. The CERD also expressed concern about continuing forced evictions from these informal settlements without prior consultation, due process of law or the possibility of alternative accommodation. As for the migrants and asylum seekers, the CERD is concerned that the asylum procedure is lengthy, and that the vast majority of asylum claims were refused in 2016 due to the safe third country concept.

Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)

The document was issued by the CERD after consideration of Serbia's periodic report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination. The document also relies on other information available to the treaty body (information from UN specialized agencies, NGO submissions, etc.). Prior to considering the state's periodic report, the CERD transmits to the state party a list of issues and questions that serve as a framework for the dialogue and reporting process.

Sample details and representativeness

N/A

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