2023-06-05 17:30:10
Serbia
UN expert calls on Serbia to stop hate speech
According to Irene Khan, who visited Serbia following the two shootings that killed 18 people in May, “the current climate of political discourse in Serbia is deeply worrying”.
Published
Two shootings left 18 dead in early May and sparked major protests in Belgrade.
AFP
A UN expert was alarmed on Monday by the rise in hate speech in Serbia following the two killings that rocked the small Balkan country in early May, calling on the authorities to take immediate action.
Traumatic shootings
“These shootings have traumatized the entire country,” UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression Irene Khan said in a statement.
“It is unacceptable to use this tragedy as yet another opportunity to stir up hatred, demonize and vilify independent media, human rights defenders, political opponents and all those who criticize the government,” added the expert, who is mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but does not speak on behalf of the United Nations.
Political discourse in Serbia is ‘deeply disturbing’
Ces two shootings, which left 18 dead in early Mayhave caused major protests in Belgrade. People first demonstrated as a sign of mourning but the protest turned into a vast movement of anger once morest the power of President Aleksandar Vucic.
The demonstrators are also demanding the revocation of the licenses of television stations close to the government which publish violent content and accuse the government of having established or tolerated a “climate of violence” in Serbia. From the start, the Serbian head of state accused the opposition of “abusing” the situation “for political purposes”.
Irene Khan is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression.
AFP
“Rather than promoting justice and accountability, recent speeches – including those by members of government – appear to have encouraged harassment and even physical attacks once morest politicians, journalists and opposition activists,” denounced Ms Khan.
According to the expert, who visited Serbia in April, “the current climate of political discourse in Serbia is deeply worrying”. “The Serbian government must immediately investigate and sanction intimidation, threats and incitement to violence, especially by government officials, and ensure that all state institutions and bodies follow the guidelines of the United Nations on combating hate speech while defending freedom of expression,” she asked.
(AFP)
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