Kolaković-Bojović, M. & Đukanović. A. (2023), Hate crime in the Republic of Serbia (Zločini iz mržnje u Republici Srbiji), Belgrade, Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research.

Country

Serbia

Title

Kolaković-Bojović, M. & Đukanović. A. (2023), Hate crime in the Republic of Serbia (Zločini iz mržnje u Republici Srbiji), Belgrade, Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research.

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Year

2023

Publication type

Research evidence/report

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

Academic/research institution

Institution

Serbia, Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research (Institut za kriminološka i sociološka istraživanja)

Thematic focus

Hate crime

Groups

General population

Key findings

The research found that between 2017 and 2021, a total of 12 final court judgements were issued in which hatred was considered an aggravating circumstance, i.e. Article 54a of the Criminal Code was applied. In 75% of these cases, a guilty verdict was rendered with the application of Article 54a, while in 25% of the cases a guilty verdict was issued without the application of Article 54a, as the existence of hatred as a motive for the criminal offense was not proven. In terms of personal characteristics, the victim's nationality or ethnicity was the most common factor in court decisions in 68% of cases. In 24% of cases, the victim's sexual orientation was the motive for the offence, in 4% of cases the victim's gender identity was the motive and in a further 4% the victim’s religion was the motive.

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

Quantitative (statistics on prosecution and court practise) – data are collected from the database of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. Qualitative (case analysis) - By analysing data on judicial and prosecutorial practises collected through a questionnaire developed specifically for this analysis.

Sample details and representativeness

N/A - not applicable/available

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.