(IPI/IFEX) – In a 29 June 2000 letter to President Slobodan Milosevic, IPI expressed concern over the proposed “anti-terrorism” legislation, which is expected to be rushed through Parliament on Friday 30 June, and its implications for press freedom. On the basis of the information before IPI, the proposed bill of 27 June contains jail terms […]
(IPI/IFEX) – In a 29 June 2000 letter to President Slobodan Milosevic, IPI expressed concern over the proposed “anti-terrorism” legislation, which is expected to be rushed through Parliament on Friday 30 June, and its implications for press freedom.
On the basis of the information before IPI, the proposed bill of 27 June contains jail terms of at least five years for “acts that threaten constitutional order”. The proposed bill allows for suspects to be held without charge for thirty days. According to our sources, this is in stark contrast to both the present law that enables the authorities to hold suspects for three days if they refuse to testify and the Yugoslav constitution which mandates a twenty-four hour limit on the time suspects may be held.
Independent human rights experts have pointed out that, as well as setting out specified activities, such as kidnapping, the legislation defines other non-violent forms of protests that could constitute a crime. Serbian Deputy Justice Minister Zoran Balinovic confirmed these views by stating that activities such as traffic blockades would indeed be considered a terrorist act. In addition, many of the phrases are open to wide interpretation. For instance, the draft states that individuals engaged in acts threatening the “territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia”, could face up to five years in prison.
While recognising the need for appropriate terrorist laws in any democratic society in order to protect the basic beliefs and values of such a society, IPI believes that all-embracing phrases such as “acts that threaten constitutional order” are inconsistent with the very same beliefs they are supposed to protect. In fact, such language could be used to target the opposition and the independent media, two pivotal institutions in any democratic society.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
- stating that terrorist laws should serve to protect the people of the state, not enhance the power of the state when faced with legitimate and peaceful opposition
- noting that the right to hold different opinions and the right to peacefully assemble to communicate one’s beliefs must be guaranteed in any democratic society
- stating that the bill constitutes a clear attempt to stifle opposition parties and media outlets, as well as individuals with opinions which contradict those of the state
- urging him to reconsider the freedom of expression and freedom of speech issues before placing the proposed bill before parliament
Appeals To
H.E. Slobodan Milosevic
President
Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 2
11070 Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
Fax: +381 11 636 77 55
Appeals To
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.