Publisher: BCBP Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku

0.00 €

(Absence of) Trust and Security in the Second Year of the Pandemic – Serbian Citizens’ Opinions about the COVID-19 Pandemic

(Absence of) Trust and Security in the Second Year of the Pandemic – Serbian Citizens’ Opinions about the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author(s): Maja Bjeloš,Srđan Hercigonja / Language(s): English

Keywords: COVID-19; pandemic; Accountability; Disaster Risk Management; Serbian Security Policy; immunisation;

The public opinion poll on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the process of immunisation of the population and the impact of the pandemic on the work of institutions and the status of democracy was conducted during the relatively calm epidemiological period, just before the big wave in late 2021 and early 2022, when Serbia had a record number of registered citizens newly infected with the Coronavirus. At the same time, the survey was conducted in the period when all adult citizens were offered the so-called booster or the third dose of the vaccine against COVID-19. The observed period was marked by the political and security crisis in Kosovo, so the pandemic was not in the focus of public and political discussion. In the meantime, the gradual calming of the situation regarding the pandemic itself, and primarily the reduction of the number of newly infected and dead, created space for the analysis and assessment of the way the pandemic had been managed.

More...

0.00 €

Right to free access to information of public importance

Right to free access to information of public importance

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

Keywords: Activism; Serbian Security Policy; Transparency

Although the Law on Free Access to Information is still a very solid instrument for exercising the public’s right to know, i.e. its control over the work of the government, it was clear practically from the very beginning that there was a need to change, supplement and improve it. In the course of 15 years of its implementation, this became increasingly obvious. Unfortunately, the unwillingness of the authorities to respond to this need in an adequate way is equally obvious, and extremely worrying.

More...

0.00 €

Public perceptions towards public safety, internal and external threats

Public perceptions towards public safety, internal and external threats

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

Keywords: Regional Security Cooperation;

The main finding of this study is that the Serbian public has conflicting views on national and personal security including security at the community level. On the one hand, people instinctively recognize that the main security threats are internal and related to poor governance – such as organized crime and corruption and the low level of trust in the government that serves the interests of politicians. Consequently, the list of the main internal security threats Serbia faces is topped by organized crime, emigration, unemployment, and corruption. On the other hand, the public believe that the country is mostly under external threats from migrants, great powers, and Kosovo-Albanians, which is probably a product of sensationalized media coverage and messaging by politicians.

More...

0.00 €

Snakes, rats and drug addicts used to dwell here – analysis of the narrative utilised to capture the state

Snakes, rats and drug addicts used to dwell here – analysis of the narrative utilised to capture the state

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

Keywords: Foreign Influence; Serbian Security Policy; State Capture

Due to the way they are contracted and implemented, foreign direct investments represent one of the key mechanisms for capturing the state. Hiding behind the stories of a better future and new jobs, the government is breaking down the system of legal regulations and statutory procedures, promoting private interest to the detriment of the public one, and using foreign investments as propaganda ammunition to legitimise unlimited power. The results of such policy are a number of negative consequences for the state and the citizens, such as the increase of public debt, dramatic violation of workers’ rights and alarming problems with environmental pollution.

More...

0.00 €

Boosting Armament to Fight Demographic Decline, Crime and Corruption – Public Opinion on Security

Boosting Armament to Fight Demographic Decline, Crime and Corruption – Public Opinion on Security

Author(s): Marija Ignjatijević,Bojan Elek,Marija Pavlović / Language(s): English

Keywords: Serbian Security Policy; trust in institutions; security sector

The main finding of this study is that the Serbian public have conflicting views on national and personal security and their relationship with the country’s institutions. On the one hand, people instinctively recognise that the main security threats are internal and are related to poor governance – such as organised crime and corruption and low levels of trust in institutions that serve the interests of politicians – which is why they rely on themselves and their own good conduct, from which they derive a sense of personal security. On the other hand, under the influence of media messaging and dominant narratives about threats to national security, presenting a maelstrom of great power rivalry and adversarial actors in the region, they continue to believe that hard power is the best response to security issues. Therefore, they see solutions mainly in the continued strengthening of the country and investment in the security sector.

More...

0.00 €

Many Faces of Serbian Foreign Policy Public Opinion and Geopolitical Balancing

Many Faces of Serbian Foreign Policy Public Opinion and Geopolitical Balancing

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

Keywords: EU, Foreign Influence; Foreign Policy; International Security Cooperation; NATO; Regional Security Cooperation; Serbian Foreign Policy

According to a public opinion survey Serbian citizens identify Russia and China as their greatest friends. As the country's most important foreign policy priorities, citizens recognize preserving Kosovo as part of Serbia, strengthening cooperation with neighboring countries and strengthening cooperation with Russia. More than half of the citizens do not support Serbia's membership in the EU.Most respondents (40%) perceive Russia as Serbia’s best friend, and 72% believe that Russia’s influence in the country is positive, which is an increase of 11% compared to the results of the survey from 2017. Only two percent of people believe that Russia’s attitude towards Serbia is hostile. After Russia, second place on the list of friends is reserved for China (16 percent of respondents). The growth of positive attitudes towards China is especially visible after the beginning of the pandemic, which is proved by the fact that 75% of respondents believe that China provided the most assistance to Serbia in the fight against the pandemic, although there are no official data on the amount of Chinese aid. According to available data, the largest donor was the European Union (EU), and only 3% of Serbian citizens recognize that. In addition, almost 90% of respondents believe that the Chinese influence in the country is positive, which is an increase of over 30 percent compared to the survey from 2017.

More...

0.00 €

Civil Society against Organised Crime: Roles, Methods and Practices

Civil Society against Organised Crime: Roles, Methods and Practices

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

Keywords: Organised Crime

International legislative framework does not properly recognise the relevance of civil society in the fight against organised crime and does not provide for full civil society participation. As a consequence, the effort of civil society to achieve progress in fighting organised crime and build a strong and stable communication channels for key stakeholders in the public and private sector remains questionable. This is why civil society advocates the revision of the existing international legislative framework. Civil society plays two main roles in tackling the issue of organised crime. It is very useful in exposing illicit organised crime activities, and it can serve as support to criminal justice efforts and reforms in the fight against organised crime. However, the challenge lies in the fact that most civil society organisations are specialised or focused on one specific area of organised crime. They also depend on national situations and donors’ funding availability. On the other hand, civil society can link relevant institutions and the private sector in the fight against organised crime.

More...

0.00 €

The Security Sector in a Captured State

The Security Sector in a Captured State

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

Keywords: State Capture; Deep-seated control; security institutions

State capture is a deliberate political undertaking in which political actors use the consequences (both real and imagined) of the previous government as justification for the complete capture of the state’s institutions. These legitimising narratives are specific to every country and range from fighting crime and corruption, to advancing social justice, preserving national and cultural identities, mythomaniac notions of national origins and so forth. Of course, the narratives can change over time, as evidenced by the example of Serbia, but their essence remains the same: to act as a smokescreen for ever broader and ever deeper capture of the state.In such an endeavor, security sector institutions are among the first targets of political actors, since by increasing and concentrating their security power they are simultaneously increasing their political power. Some security sectors and institutions are also on the receiving end of significant budgetary outlays (e.g. the defence sector and the police), which makes them potentially significant sources of cash flow for the party leadership and those close to them. Deep-seated control of security institutions also ensures the ruling party leadership can redirect public funds into private pockets unhindered.

More...

0.00 €

The Security Sector in the State of Emergency: Testing Democracy

The Security Sector in the State of Emergency: Testing Democracy

Author(s): Isidora Stakić,Jelena Pejić Nikić,Katarina Đokić,Marija Ignjatijević / Language(s): English

Keywords: Military; Oversight; Police; Security Services; COVID-19

This analysis by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) concludes that during the 52 days it spent in a state of emergency, Serbia failed the test of democracy, thanks to a series of failings and irregularities in the conduct and control of the security sector.The police did not always conduct themselves professionally, proportionately and as politically neutral agents primarily concerned with the needs and rights of citizens. The criteria on the basis of which the Ministry of the Interior issued permits for movement during the curfew were not prescribed, which is why they were misused during the flare-lighting incident. People who arrived in Serbia before the state of emergency was declared were often not informed that they had been placed under mandatory self-isolation. Police harassment was observed in at least three cases, with the police internal control department reacting publicly only once.

More...

0.00 €

The 2018 Special Law for State Housing Construction and its Implementation

The 2018 Special Law for State Housing Construction and its Implementation

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

Keywords: Military; Serbian Security Policy; Transparency

The government’s decision in 2017 to embark upon a programme to build housing for members of the security forces was followed by the adoption of a “special law” that governs the implementation of this programme somewhat differently to existing regulations.The government’s decision was not properly justified: either in terms of considering the various financial approaches to solving the same problem, or from the point of view of legal proceedings.A special law was passed in Serbia to legislate construction of government-subsidised flats across Serbia, which employees in the security forces would buy under standard market prices. The government has justified this legislative approach by calling upon national security. However, the Government’s decision to address the housing needs of security sector employees in this way and not through some other measures, was not properly justified. The special law has foreseen numerous deviations from the public procurement legislation for the sake of urgency, but in practice, there have been significant delays in the project implementation. Also, by comparing initial announcements and actual contract values, it could be estimated that the project costs would be up to 20% higher than was envisaged at the beginning. Procurement of construction services was marred by insufficient transparency and dubious phenomena such as discriminatory capacity requirements from bidders and low competition.

More...

0.00 €

Why Are People Leaving the Serbian Defence System?

Why Are People Leaving the Serbian Defence System?

Author(s): Marija Ignjatijević,Katarina Đokić / Language(s): English

Keywords: Military; Serbian Defence System;

Although official data on the outflow of personnel from the defence system is not publicly available – the data which is available points to the fact that this problem has become more pronounced in recent years. Members of the Serbian Armed Forces terminate their service of their own volition, not only because they are dissatisfied with their pay, but also because of other factors. This report provides answers for a number of key questions, in terms of the outflow of personnel from the defence system. In the first part, researchers analysed the scale of the problem and attempted to answer the question of who is leaving the system.

More...

0.00 €

The BIA Fighting an Internal Enemy of the State

The BIA Fighting an Internal Enemy of the State

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

Keywords: Security Services; Serbian Security Policy

At a time when corruption is rising in Serbia, the number of professional killings by organized crime groups is growing, extremism and nationalism are on the rise, and many scandals that occupy the media remain without an epilogue, the Security Information Agency (BIA) is fighting internal enemies and as the biggest threat to Serbia’s security highlights one part of the civil society.Contrary to the expectations of the general and professional public, there has been no comprehensive reform of the security sector in Serbia, including security services. Since democratic changes in Serbia in year 2000, there has been a partial and inconsistent reform of the security services and the security-intelligence sector, guided by the wishes and ambitions of the strongest political leaders to control the work of the security services, and not by the desire to make the security services one of the bases for protecting the democratic order proclaimed in the first article of the Serbian Constitution.

More...

0.00 €

Case Study: Threats and Pressures Faced by Activists and Independent Journalists in Serbia

Case Study: Threats and Pressures Faced by Activists and Independent Journalists in Serbia

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

Keywords: Activism; Serbian Security Policy

Threats and pressures on activists and independent journalists, experience with state authorities, protection measures and necessary help are the topics of the newest case study by BCSP. The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) and individual employees have in recent years been targeted by attacks and threats on several occasions.In this the BCSP is not alone, activists, non-governmental organisations and independent journalists in Serbia are continually exposed to threats and pressures and, not infrequently, physical attacks. This is borne out by research conducted in the summer of 2018 by the BCSP, in cooperation with its partners, in 19 municipalities across Serbia. The aim of that study was to determine the circumstances and constraints that affect participation by citizens, groups and organisations in the defence democracy and resolving publically significant issues through collective action at the local and national levels.

More...

0.00 €

The Export of Weapons Protects Social Peace in Serbia, Not Peace in the World

The Export of Weapons Protects Social Peace in Serbia, Not Peace in the World

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

Keywords: Accountability; Military; Security Sector Financing; Serbian Security Policy

Domestic legislation sets very strict criteria and a complicated procedure for deciding on arms exports. However, these criteria are not respected in practice. It is therefore no wonder that Serbian weapons occasionally end up in the wrong hands. There are two reasons: export growth is necessary to maintain an increasing ... Domestic legislation sets very strict criteria and a complicated procedure for deciding on arms exports. However, these criteria are not respected in practice. It is therefore no wonder that Serbian weapons occasionally end up in the wrong hands. There are two reasons: export growth is necessary to maintain an increasing number of jobs in the defence industry and the government doesn’t analyze the long-term effects of arms exports to a particular country.

More...

0.00 €

Comments to the amendments of the Law on the engagement of the Serbian Armed Forces and Other Defence Forces in Multinational Operations

Comments to the amendments of the Law on the engagement of the Serbian Armed Forces and Other Defence Forces in Multinational Operations

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

Keywords: Military; Serbian Security Policy

Amendments to the set of laws governing the defence system and the Serbian Army are under way. While public hearings on the amendments of the Law on Defence and Law on the Serbian Armed Forces have taken place (despite the public not being properly notified of the consultation process), there are no plans for a public discussion on the Law on the engagement of Serbian Armed Forces and Other Defence Forces in Multinational Operations (hereinafter: Law on MNO), owing to the fact that theamendments have been earmarked foran expedited procedure.Bearing in mind the nature of the proposed amendments, as well as the fact that new strategic documents this act is supposed to be aligned with are expected early next year, the expedited procedure does not seem warranted.

More...

0.00 €

THE PUBLIC IN SERBIA ON POLICE

THE PUBLIC IN SERBIA ON POLICE

Author(s): Saša Đorđević,Bojan Elek / Language(s): English

Keywords: Police; Serbian Security Policy

Trust in the police has been growing in parallel with the perception of corruption and the impression that the work of the police is politicised. This is the main conclusion of the fourth annual public opinion survey "The Citizens’ Opinion of the Police Force" conducted by Belgrade Centre for Security Policy as a member of the regional POINTPULSE network. Six out of ten citizens trust the police (61%), which positions this Serbian institution at the world average: between 60 and 90 percent. At the same time, seven out of ten citizens believe that police officers are corrupt (69%), while three quarters are convinced that their interests are subordinated to those of politics (72%).

More...

0.00 €

Media and Police in the Western Balkans

Media and Police in the Western Balkans

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

Keywords: Police; Serbian Security Policy

The policy paper recommends possible solutions to overcome the current challenges in communication between the police and the media. Media and the police play an important role in the democratization of a society, which is crucial for the Western Balkans, given that the entire region already shows clear elements of “captured state” – systematic and organized process aimed at taking over the resources of a particular country for the purpose of satisfying private instead of public interests. Democratisation requires free and independent media, professional journalism, the willingness of the police to provide the public with objective information about their work without revealing confidential information, and communication between the media andthe police, which provides easier, andensures timely, receipt of information.

More...

0.00 €

Constitutional reform of Serbian judiciary

Constitutional reform of Serbian judiciary

Author(s): Marina M. Matić Bošković / Language(s): English

Keywords: Accountability; Serbian Security Policy

Marina Matic Boskovic, Vice President of the Program Council of the Association of Public Prosecutors of Serbia in the new BCSP publication analyzes the standards of independence of the judiciary and to what extent they are achieved in the Working Version of the Draft Amendments to the Constitution. The text analyzes the provisions of the current Constitution and proposes solutions for improving the constitutional position of the judiciary.In the framework of the EU accession negotiations, Serbia has committed to amend the Constitution in the area of judiciaryby the Action Plan for Chapter 23 (Judiciary and fundamental rights) in 2016. The aim of the announced changes is to depoliticize this area and to strengthen the independence of the judiciary as the third branch of government. The elimination of political influence, however, was not the subject of the debate within the consultative process opened by the Ministry of Justice in mid-2017. Therefore, professional associations and civil society organizations soon abandoned this process.

More...