Publisher: BCBP Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku

Perceptions of personal (Un)Safety and Perceptions of Security Threats at the local Level: a comparative Overview of Serbia, Kosovo and Albania

Perceptions of personal (Un)Safety and Perceptions of Security Threats at the local Level: a comparative Overview of Serbia, Kosovo and Albania

Author(s): Isidora Stakić / Language(s): English

Keywords: personaL security;

This paper presents comparatively citizens’ views of their personal safety and security at the local level, as surveyed in Albania, Kosovo and Serbia in October 2013, as part of the joint initiative ‘Security Research Forum Belgrade-Prishtina-Tirana’, run by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS) and the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) from Tirana. The survey was conducted using the same questionnaire in all three communities, taking a representative sample of citizens. In Serbia, 1200 citizens were interviewed, including a sub-sample of 200 citizens in Southern Serbia (the municipalities of Preševo, Bujanovac and Medvedja). The survey in Kosovo encompassed 1119 respondents, including 100 ethnic Serbs residing in North Kosovo. In Albania, 1100 citizens were interviewed. The analysis is complemented by data from 2014 and 2015 in order to show the trends in citizens’ perceptions of personal safety and local security.

Raising Fear of Conflicts vs Raising Hopes in Collaboration and Solidarity: How the Serbian Public Perceives Regional Relations

Raising Fear of Conflicts vs Raising Hopes in Collaboration and Solidarity: How the Serbian Public Perceives Regional Relations

Author(s): Luka Šterić,Maja Bjeloš / Language(s): English

Compendium of Yugoslav Laws on the Security Sector: Human Rights and Democratic Oversight Aspects

Compendium of Yugoslav Laws on the Security Sector: Human Rights and Democratic Oversight Aspects

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Human Rights; Yugoslav Legislation; Security Sector; Defense and Armed Forces; Military Legislation; Armed Forces of Yugoslavia

This book explores the challenges of establishing democratic and civilian control over security structures in countries transitioning to democracy, with a specific focus on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the Republic of Serbia. Security structures, including the armed forces, police, and interior ministry, often pose significant obstacles to democratization by operating autonomously or disproportionately consuming state resources. The reform of these structures must balance the creation of efficient institutions with respect for fundamental human rights, given their authority to use force. Effective democratic control requires a clear constitutional and legal framework that institutionalizes practices and relationships among key actors. However, the research reveals inconsistencies in the legal and constitutional frameworks at federal and republic levels, ambiguous legislation, lack of transparency in decision-making, inadequate protection of human rights, and unchecked executive use of security institutions. Undertaken as part of a broader project by the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and the East-West Institute (EWI), the study assesses legal texts and offers recommendations for comprehensive security sector reform. The work, informed by contributions from prominent scholars and civil society institutions, underscores the need for legislative corrections to prevent misuse of security apparatus, as seen under the Milosevic regime.

Serbia and NATO: From enemies to (almost) partners

Serbia and NATO: From enemies to (almost) partners

Author(s): Jelena Radoman / Language(s): English

Keywords: Serbia-NATO Relations; Serbia; NATO; Western Balkans; 1999 NATO Bombing Campaign; European Union Security Policy; Balkan States; EU and NATO

This paper explores the ambivalence of current Serbia – NATO relations. The relationship features alongside Serbia’s ‘exceptionality’ in comparison to the relations of the other Western Balkan countries with the Alliance. In spite of this ‘exceptionality’ Serbia’s security policies have being brought in line with the prevailing security discourse and concept of NATO. The main event that has shaped Serbia – NATO relations is the 1999 bombing campaign of which its consequences and impact on current Serbia – NATO relations are described and analysed here. The central argument is that despite the experience of NATO’s hard power in 1999, Serbia’s security policies have been socialised through the post-1999 engagement with the Alliance as well as the perceived convergence of NATO’s and the European Union’s security policies. This case study contributes to the literature on socialisation by analysing an exceptional case of socialisation which took place without Serbia either being a member of the EU or NATO, or any sort of declared ambition to join the Alliance. It stands in contrast to the already explored examples of socialisation of the Central and East European, Baltic and Balkans states whose security policies have been socialised due to these countries’ open and undisputed ambitions to join both the EU and NATO and their following admittance into both of these organizations.

INDEPENDENT REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NAP 1325 IN SERBIA

INDEPENDENT REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NAP 1325 IN SERBIA

Author(s): Gorana Odanović,Maja Bjeloš / Language(s): English

Keywords: National Action Plan (NAP); UN SC Resolution 1325; Gender Equality; Security Sector Management; Serbia; Western Balkans; Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE); Women in Security Sector

This report evaluates the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in the Republic of Serbia during its first year (December 2010 to July 2012). The NAP was introduced to mainstream gender perspectives in security sector management and enhance Serbia’s role in promoting gender equality within the Western Balkans. While the adoption of the NAP marked a significant reform initiative, its implementation has faced numerous challenges, including delays in establishing institutional mechanisms, insufficient funding, and limited integration of existing gender equality frameworks. The report examines seven key thematic areas outlined in the NAP: institutional mechanisms, women’s representation in the security sector, participation in decision-making and multinational operations, legal protection against discrimination, education and training, media representation, and collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs). Particular attention is given to institutional cooperation with CSOs, as they play a crucial role in advancing NAP objectives. Findings highlight persistent barriers, such as discrimination in the male-dominated security sector, inadequate institutional commitment, and the lack of robust media coverage promoting gender equality. Recommendations are provided for addressing these challenges, including strengthening institutional accountability, improving funding mechanisms, and fostering collaboration between state and non-state actors. The report underscores the importance of integrating gender equality policies into security sector reform to improve institutional efficiency, bolster Serbia’s international standing, and enhance citizen security.

INDEPENDENT REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NAP FOR UNSC RESOLUTION 1325 IN SERBIA: JULY 2012 – JULY 2013

INDEPENDENT REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NAP FOR UNSC RESOLUTION 1325 IN SERBIA: JULY 2012 – JULY 2013

Author(s): Maja Bjeloš,Tamara Skrozza / Language(s): English

Keywords: National Action Plan (NAP); UNSC Resolution 1325; Serbia; Gender Equality; Women in Security Sector; Discrimination; Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

This is the second independent report on the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) for Implementing UNSC Resolution 1325 in the Republic of Serbia. The first report was published in 2012. It covered the period from the NAP adoption in December 2010 to July 2012. The aim of the second report is to present the greatest achievements in the process of NAP implementation for the period July 2012 - 2013, to point out the challenges faced within this process, and to suggest the measures to overcome these challenges and advance the implementation of the NAP. Looking at the progress made in the implementation of the NAP during the relevant period, we will focus on the main accomplishments of the previous period, and particularly on the challenges, with the intention to see whether they were addressed by public authorities in the past year. Taking into consideration that three years have passed since the adoption of the NAP, key findings and messages of this Report will hopefully generate discussion and prompt a review of the NAP to ensure a better understanding of what has been completed done thus far, while equally identifying priorities for the coming period of the NAP implementation.

Women, Peace and Security in the Western Balkans : Independent review of translation of UNSCR 1325 in to the policies in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia

Women, Peace and Security in the Western Balkans : Independent review of translation of UNSCR 1325 in to the policies in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Keywords: UNSCR 1325; gender-based violence; traditional gender roles; Yugoslav wars; gender equality; National Action Plans (NAPs)

The adoption of UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security was heavily influenced by the experiences of gender-based violence, exclusion of women-led peace initiatives, and the reinforcement of traditional gender roles during the Yugoslav wars. Women’s civil society organizations (CSOs) and the international community spearheaded efforts to increase women's roles in conflict resolution and security governance. Despite the resolution's adoption, it took over a decade for its principles to be integrated into national policies in the Western Balkans. Women's CSOs played a critical role in advocating for human security and gender equality, although they were often marginalized and labeled as adversaries by nationalist political regimes. Momentum for mainstreaming UNSCR 1325 only grew after international actors supported its agenda in the region, particularly during the resolution's tenth-anniversary preparations. Governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Kosovo developed National Action Plans (NAPs), while Montenegro and Albania chose alternative approaches. These efforts primarily focused on internal reforms aimed at gender equality and security sector transformation, rather than addressing the legacies of conflict or prioritizing foreign policy. This study reviews the initial implementation of UNSCR 1325 in selected Western Balkan countries, analyzing the effectiveness of NAPs and alternative strategies. It highlights the challenges and opportunities encountered in aligning gender equality with security reforms. The findings offer insights for countries in the region and beyond as they continue to develop or refine their approaches to the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.

ASSESSMENT OF POLICE CORRUPTION IN SERBIA

ASSESSMENT OF POLICE CORRUPTION IN SERBIA

Author(s): Saša Đorđević / Language(s): English

Keywords: police corruption; Serbia; police integrity; internal police control; National Anti-Corruption Strategy; organized crime; police culture

Results of public opinion polls on corruption conducted among police officers, assessment of police work, statistics on filed criminal complaints against police officers and different scandals in connection with the MoI work which occurred in 2013 indicate that there is significant corruption in the police and that this undermines the integrity of police and its officers. In addition to this, a harmonized system of internal police control, which, together with institutions of external oversight and control, should prevent the police from exceeding their competences and simultaneously ensure greater responsibility of police officers, does not work well in Serbia. Also, the implementation of strategic documents for reducing police corruption is questionable. All this together is not conducive to meeting the expectations of most citizens that the police should play the leading role in the fight against corruption in Serbia (CeSID, UNDP 2012: 25).

Integrity Assessment in Security Sector in Serbia

Integrity Assessment in Security Sector in Serbia

Author(s): Predrag Petrović,Saša Đorđević,Katarina Đokić,Vladimir Erceg / Language(s): English

Keywords: transparency; police corruption; police management; whistleblower protection; public opinion; anti-corruption; security information agency; State Audit Institution; security and defence strategies

Over the past 14 years of police reform an opportunity has been missed to build a strong institutional framework for the work of the Ministry of the Interior. The consequence thereof is the unbalanced development of areas pivotal to police integrity. Thus, policing transparency has improved, and an Integrity Plan and Development Strategy have been adopted. However, police integrity is mostly influenced by politicisation and inappropriate management of human resources. The police force in Serbia is losing its operational independence and accountability due to the interests of political parties. The organisational unit responsible for the management of human resources is merely a technical body. In addition, effective planning of budget spending is not possible because in excess of 80% of the MoI budget is earmarked for wages. Finally, neither does the harmonised system of internal police control work that should simultaneously ensure that police act in accordance with the rules and to increase the police integrity. External policing oversight remains lax.

PrEUgovor : Report on Progress of Serbia in Chapters 23 and 24

PrEUgovor : Report on Progress of Serbia in Chapters 23 and 24

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Serbia EU accession; European Commission (EC); Serbia-Kosovo relations; Anti-corruption goals; Gender-based violence; Migration policy; Asylum policy; Human trafficking

Over the past six months, the coalition PrEUgovor has been monitoring the state of play regarding the key policy areas in the process of Serbia’s accession to the EU. These areas include the political criteria and policies covered under chapters 23 and 24 of the European acquis in the negotiation process. The monitored period was marked by two key events: the release of Screening Reports for chapters 23 and 24 by the European Commission, and drafting of the Action Plans for these two chapters. Additionally, the Progress Report for Serbia for 2014 was released by the EC in October, so this report is envisaged as a commentary and an update to this document. This report presents concrete case studies, well researched and documented by the coalition’s members, in order to illustrate problems in the areas covered. Lastly, it also contains comments on the Action Plan draft for chapter 23. Generally, the progress in the areas covered by the PrEUgovor report can best be described as uneven and erratic. When it comes to normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo no progress was achieved, mostly due to elections and the inability to form the government in Pristina. Although there was change in legislation regarding civilian oversight of the security sector, the opportunity to systematically regulate this area was missed. The area of the fight against corruption witnessed partial progress with the adoption of new regulations, although the opportunity was missed to fulfil anti-corruption goals to a greater extent. In the area of the protection of women from gender-based violence, protection of children and protection of the victims of violence there was no further progress. In the migration and asylum policy areas no substantial progress was achieved. The same goes for the fight against human trafficking where there still exist numerous obstacles on the path towards full harmonization of domestic legal system with the European standards.

Parliaments on a Special Mission : Oversight of Implementation of Special Investigative Measures

Parliaments on a Special Mission : Oversight of Implementation of Special Investigative Measures

Author(s): Katarina Đokić / Language(s): English

Keywords: Special Investigative Measures (SIM); Privacy intrusion; Human rights; Corruption; Terrorism; Organized crime; Criminal investigation; National security; Council of Europe; Secret surveillance

Special Investigative Measures (SIM) are tools used by security and intelligence actors for criminal investigations and national security protection. These measures, characterized by their secretive nature, include activities like covert surveillance of communications, monitoring public and private spaces, and accessing personal data records. While essential for addressing modern security threats such as terrorism and organized crime, SIM pose significant risks to privacy and human rights, necessitating robust legal regulation and external oversight to prevent abuse. The oversight of SIM varies across European countries, with legislative and institutional frameworks designed to monitor their application. However, European guidelines like the Council of Europe’s 2005 recommendations and EU directives emphasize judicial or independent body oversight without explicitly requiring parliamentary involvement. These measures advocate for legislative controls, approval by judicial or independent bodies, and continued oversight during and after SIM implementation to safeguard against misuse. This paper reviews European practices in SIM oversight, focusing on trends and factors affecting effectiveness without delving into exhaustive classifications or analyses. It highlights the need for balancing security objectives with the protection of fundamental rights.

Parliamentary Questions as a Mechanism for Oversight of the Security Sector

Parliamentary Questions as a Mechanism for Oversight of the Security Sector

Author(s): Vladimir Erceg / Language(s): English

Keywords: Democracy; Parliament; National Assembly of Serbia; Constitution; Corruption; National budget; Parliamentary control

This document highlights the importance of tracking political party pledges to ensure democracy remains functional and accountable. Without such tracking, democracy risks being reduced to mere voter approval during elections, allowing political elites to focus solely on re-election strategies rather than serving the public will. Over time, this undermines democratic values and erodes confidence in institutions. The National Assembly of Serbia, as defined by the Constitution, is the supreme legislative body responsible for ensuring democratic checks and balances. It holds powers to oversee, control, and, if necessary, terminate the mandates of the government and individual ministers. This oversight is particularly crucial in the security sector due to its potential for power concentration, significant budget allocation, and its role in safeguarding citizens' rights. Parliament also serves as a critical intermediary between the public and executive power structures. The National Assembly employs several mechanisms to exercise its oversight role, including parliamentary questions, reports on government functioning, and interpellation. Parliamentary questions are a significant tool for scrutinizing government activities, particularly in the fields of security, defence, and internal affairs. These questions can address corruption and the management of resources within the security sector. An analysis of the eighth and ninth parliamentary terms (2008–2012) of Serbia's National Assembly reveals both the application and limitations of parliamentary questions in overseeing the executive. While this mechanism is widely used, shortcomings in its application were identified, prompting recommendations for improvement. The article underscores the necessity of enhancing these oversight tools to strengthen parliamentary control, especially in addressing corruption and ensuring transparency in the security sector.

Special Measures for Covert Data Collection : oversight handbook

Special Measures for Covert Data Collection : oversight handbook

Author(s): Predrag Petrović,Saša Đorđević,Katarina Đokić,Jelena Pejić / Language(s): English

Keywords: Surveillance; Security services; Security threats; Technology and communication; Suspect monitoring; Privacy infringement; Criminal proceedings; Money Laundering; National Assembly of Serbia; Criminal Procedure Code;

Wiretapping and tailing of suspects are the traditional mainstays of security service activity. However, the multiplication and growing complexity of security threats and risks, as well as development of technology and communications has led to an increase in the number and variety of techniques used to covertly gather data, such as secretly accessing people’s communications. Additionally, the number of government bodies and institutions implementing such measures has grown beyond the police and security services to include, for example, the Administration for the Prevention of Money Laundering and has also come to include private detective and investigative agencies. Today such measures are no longer applied only for preventative intelligence gathering but also in the course of criminal proceedings. The situation is further confounded by the fact that these activities are governed by a vast number of (unintegrated) regulations and by decreasing understanding of this field, both by the general public and by professionals. This is best illustrated by the fact that lawmakers use a variety of terms to define such measures in legislation: “special procedures and measures” (Law on the VBA and VOA), “special measures infringing on the privacy of correspondence and other communications” (Law on the BIA) and “special investigative activity” (Criminal Procedure Code).

Public Procurement and Gender Equality : its impact on women in the Security Sector in Serbia

Public Procurement and Gender Equality : its impact on women in the Security Sector in Serbia

Author(s): Aurelijan Djan / Language(s): English

Keywords: Public procurement systems; Gender perspectives in procurement; Security sector procurement; Human rights; Underrepresentation of women; Gender-sensitive statistics;

Despite the fact that public procurement systems in general bear a substantial impact on any given country’s economy, and, subsequently, on the everyday lives of their respective citizens, the social dimension of Serbia’s own public procurement system has been left neglected. Albeit that Serbia’s 2012 Public Procurement Law presents a positive step in its continuous effort to reform public procurement, the fact still remains that Serbia’s professional and academic community, as well as other parties involved in this process, have focused solely on the economic role of public procurements in terms of “procuring goods, services or labour assignments”.1 The result has been a serious lack of attention paid to the due impact of public procurements on social categories as a whole. Bearing in mind that gender perspectives are relevant to all sectors of society, it is important to understand how gender patterns differently affect the organization, implementation, and realization of public procurements as well as the consequences they produce. In this same unique regard, this paper takes as its focus public procurement in Serbia’s security sector in order to better understand the impact public procurements have on both women and men.

Communications Interception Measures and Data Retention from the Perspectives of Strasbourg, the Regulative Framework and Serbian Judicial Practice

Communications Interception Measures and Data Retention from the Perspectives of Strasbourg, the Regulative Framework and Serbian Judicial Practice

Author(s): Dušan Ignjatović / Language(s): English

Keywords: Privacy; Freedom; Totalitarian Regimes; Secret Police; Surveillance; CCTV; Hidden Cameras; Human Rights; European Court of Human Rights;

The security vs. privacy dilemma has been a subject of debate for decades. Even through the right to privacy is not decidedly affirmed by the constitutions of some democratic countries, it is clear that without privacy freedom would not be possible. This conclusion is confirmed by the histories of autocratic and totalitarian regimes, which have deployed secret police to suppress privacy and individual freedoms. On the other hand, the rise of new threats to security suggests freedom is not possible without protection. From the perspective of those who believe control is necessary, the problem lies in the fact that the impossibility of monitoring illegal activities makes it difficult to bring those responsible to account. On the other hand, tracking, surveillance, wiretapping, CCTV and hidden cameras are causes of dismay to those who have experienced draconian totalitarian regimes.

PrEUgovor : Report on Progress of Serbia in Chapters 23 and 24

PrEUgovor : Report on Progress of Serbia in Chapters 23 and 24

Author(s): Not Specified Author / Language(s): English

Keywords: Serbia EU accession; European Commission (EC); Serbia-Kosovo relations; Anti-corruption goals; Gender-based violence; Migration policy; Asylum policy; Human trafficking

Serbia officially started the negotiation process for its accession to European Union (EU) in January 2014, more than two years. So far, only two negotiation chapters have been opened: 32 (Financial Control), 35 (Other Issues, which in Serbia’s case, refers to Belgrade-Pristina relations), thus she was invited to prepare negotiation positions for two other chapters: 14 (Transport Policy) and 21 (Trans-European Networks). Negotiations on Chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security), being of the most relevance for the following report, have yet to be opened, despite the facts that this was announced at the beginning of the negotiation process and that these chapters were the first to be opened during the latest round of EU enlargement. Finally, even though their opening has been scheduled for June 2016, this has also been called into doubt since Croatia, now an EU member state, recently raised reservations over certain issues covered by Chapter 23.

Combat Boots without a Fight

Combat Boots without a Fight

Author(s): Zoran Bašić,Nenad Radojčić / Language(s): English

Keywords: Public Procurement Procedures; Transparency; Cost Optimization; Public Spending; Transparency Challenges

The primary goal of a performance assessment is to promote the economical, efficient and effective implementation of public procurement procedures and thereby budget spending, as well as the management thereof and to contribute to accountability and transparency. A performance assessment should provide constructive incentives for persons in charge to take necessary measures in future procedures owing to which more will be gotten for less money and ensuring the procurement of what is really necessary, while meeting the required quality and volume.

Analysis of the Legal Framework Regulating the Security-intelligence System of the Republic of Serbia

Analysis of the Legal Framework Regulating the Security-intelligence System of the Republic of Serbia

Author(s): Bogoljub Milosavljević / Language(s): English

Security Politics in the Western Balkans

Security Politics in the Western Balkans

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Keywords: Security Policies; Western Balkans; National Security Strategy ; Defence Strategy ; NATO Integration ; EU Integration ; Organized Crime ; Terrorism ; Public Debate ; Military Doctrine

The document "Security Policies in the Western Balkans" provides a comprehensive analysis of the strategic-doctrinal frameworks of several countries in the region, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. It examines the development, adoption, and content of key strategic documents such as National Security Strategies, Defence Strategies, and Strategic Defence Reviews.

Protection of Human Rights in the Army and Police

Protection of Human Rights in the Army and Police

Author(s): / Language(s): English,Serbian

Keywords: Human Rights; Yugoslav Army; Police; FR Yugoslavia: Public Opinion Survey ; Transition Countries ; Civil Rights ; NATO Aggression ; Military Courts

The book Protection of Human Rights in the Army and the Police combines the papers prepared by the researchers and associates of the Centre for Civil-Military Relations, a Belgrade-seated NGO, within a project on the “Protection of Human Rights in the Army and the Police of the FR of Yugoslavia”. The whole project, including the publishing effort, was implemented with the support of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, London and Freedom House, Budapest. The project, initially conceived as one-year (2000-2001) interdisciplinary research exercise, was essentially aimed at identifying the degree of respect for human rights in the Yugoslav army and the police. The research also extended to the observance of human rights of citizens under the jurisdiction of the army and/or the police. The main task of the researchers was to look into the (im)balance between the regulative – constitutional and legal – protection of human rights in the army and the police of the FRY and their actual discharge. In order to do that relevant empirical data had to be collected.To this end, in early 2001, the Centre for Public Opinion and Political Research of the Institute for Social Sciences of the University of Belgrade carried out a survey on the situation of human rights and freedoms in the Yugoslav army and the police on a representative sample of 1680, as required for project purposes. The survey findings were presented to the public at a press conference on 12 April 2001 in the Belgrade Media Centre. The conclusive analysis of findings was then incorporated into the present Collection of Papers.