11 Oct 2012 | Europe and Central Asia
The third ever Belgrade Pride parade took place last Saturday behind closed doors in the city’s Media Centre, due to a last minute ban imposed by authorities. The move attracted widespread international criticism as a violation Serbian citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Last Wednesday, only three days before the long-planned march through the city, Prime Minister Ivica Dačić announced a blanket ban on all public gatherings set for 6 October, citing “security concerns“.
“Pride parades are a litmus test for freedom and human rights adherence in Europe”, said Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, Birgitta Ohlsson — heavily implying is was a test Serbia had failed. She was due to deliver the keynote speech at the parade during her state visit to the country.
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25 Feb 2011 | Index Index, minipost
“Death notice” posters against the editor-in-chief of independent TV station, B92, and the producers of one of its programmes have been put up all over Lazarevac, Serbia, following a report of alleged corruption in a state owned coal mine. This is the second time in recent weeks that such threats have been made against the station for its content.
11 Oct 2010 | Index Index, minipost
A protest against a gay pride march in Belgrade on Sunday ended in violence and looting. Riot police attempted to protect participants from protesters throwing petrol bombs, bricks, and shouting “death to homosexuals.” Once police pushed protesters back, violence continued even after the march ended in other parts of the capital as rioters smashed windows, looted stores. Protesters also attacked the Austrian embassy, the state television station building, and headquarters of the Democratic party, the current ruling party, along with the headquarters of its coalition partner the Socialist Party.
Sunday’s event was the first gay pride march since 2001, which was disrupted by a similar protest. Around 110 police officers were reported injured in the incident, while more than 100 people were arrested.
2 Jun 2009 | Index Index, minipost
A key suspect in the murder of the prominent editor Ivo Pukanic and his colleague Niko Franic who were killed in Croatia last year, has been arrested in Belgrade. Read more here
