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.

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

October 2005   Volume 17, No. 7(D)