Amnesty International on Serbia's progress

Serbia has achieved certain progress in processing war crimes in domestic courts, but there are still problems in minority discrimination. There are also problems with prison conditions and the position of human rights activists, Amnesty International said on Thursday. Amnesty International on Serbia's progress “Serbia has made certain progress in processing war crimes before domestic courts, but the discrimination of minority communities is still present in Serbia and in Kosovo, where there is also ethnic violence,” read a portion of the human rights organization's annual report. Amnesty International reminded of the positive December 2009 report by Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor at the Hague tribunal, after which the European Union unfroze its Interim Trade Agreement with Serbia. Serbia then submitted a request for candidate status in the EU, which depends on the decision to unfreeze the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Progress hinges on apprehending Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic, the remaining two fugitives wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, said Amnesty International. The report mentioned that Serbia had passed an anti-discrimination law but also that its gay pride parade was canceled. The report included a remark on the recommendations from the Council of Europe advisory committee that the judicial system had to be more efficient in minority discrimination cases and that measures had to be taken to issue documents to and fight discrimination against the Roma in various areas. Citing a report by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Amnesty International said conditions in prisons were poor, particularly Belgrade's Central Prison. With regard to the situation in Kosovo, Amnesty International said discrimination against the Roma was still present and that a plan on the integration of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians needed to be put into effect.

Amnesty International on Serbia's progress

“Serbia has made certain progress in processing war crimes before domestic courts, but the discrimination of minority communities is still present in Serbia and in Kosovo, where there is also ethnic violence,” read a portion of the human rights organization's annual report.

Amnesty International reminded of the positive December 2009 report by Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor at the Hague tribunal, after which the European Union unfroze its Interim Trade Agreement with Serbia.

Serbia then submitted a request for candidate status in the EU, which depends on the decision to unfreeze the Stabilization and Association Agreement. Progress hinges on apprehending Ratko Mladić and Goran Hadžić, the remaining two fugitives wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, said Amnesty International.

The report mentioned that Serbia had passed an anti-discrimination law but also that its gay pride parade was canceled.

The report included a remark on the recommendations from the Council of Europe advisory committee that the judicial system had to be more efficient in minority discrimination cases and that measures had to be taken to issue documents to and fight discrimination against the Roma in various areas.

Citing a report by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Amnesty International said conditions in prisons were poor, particularly Belgrade's Central Prison.

With regard to the situation in Kosovo, Amnesty International said discrimination against the Roma was still present and that a plan on the integration of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptians needed to be put into effect.