October 9, 2005

Dangerous Indifference

Violence against Minorities in Serbia

Executive Summary

Recommendations

Background

Structure of the Police, Prosecuting and Judicial Authorities

Police

Criminal Courts and Public Prosecutors

Misdemeanor Judges

Prosecuting Offenses with an Ethnic or Religious Motivation

Article 134

General Public Order Offenses

Absence of "Hate Crime" Legislation

Misdemeanors

Initiating a Prosecution

March 2004 Violence against Albanians and Muslims

Nis, March 17, 2004: Islam Aga Mosque

Belgrade, March 18, 2004: Bajrakli Mosque

Novi Sad

March 17-20, 2004: Attacks on Shops Owned by Albanians, Gorani, and Turks

March 17-19, 2004: Attacks on Roma and Ashkali Settlements

March 18, 2004: Islamic Center (medzlis)

State's Failure to Prosecute Violence in Novi Sad

Failure to Provide Compensation

Attacks on Cultural and Religious Buildings

Backa Palanka, March 28, 2004: Three Religious Shrines and Slovak Cultural and Publishing Society

Cemetery Desecration and "Hate" Graffiti

Belgrade, March 22, 2005: Minor Punishment in Misdemeanor Proceedings

Stara Pazova, May 29/30, 2004: A Rare Prosecution for Incitement

Assaults on Minorities in Vojvodina

Temerin, September 21, 2003: A.S.

Novi Knezevac, March 20, 2004: "Aurora" Bakery

Djurdjevo, February 14, 2004 & April 9, 2004: Ruthenian Cultural-Artistic Society

Djurdjevo, March 19 and March 29, 2004: "Jasmin" Pastry-Shop

Novi Sad, May 3, 2004: Adventist Church

Becej, June 6, 2004: S.P. and K.K.

The State Response

Police Dismissal of Ethnic Motivation Behind Violence

Police Indifference in Pursuing Perpetrators of Ethnically Motivated Crimes

Silence or Half-Hearted Condemnation of Violence

Scarce Use of Article 134 (Prohibition of Incitement)

Conclusion

Acknowledgements