A large number of unfounded detentions and arrests of citizens in recent weeks have been accompanied by propaganda against alleged foreign mercenaries who, in the interest of hostile foreign countries, are said to be undermining the state order. The goal of such manipulations, propagated by government representatives and media controlled by it, is to justify repression against political dissenters and to deter citizens from participating in legitimate and legal protests through fear.
Furthermore, we perceive the “exposure of the financing flows of the special war against Serbia” that was broadcast “live” on Informer TV on August 20 by Dragan J. Vučićević, the owner of Informer, in a similar light. It was an extremely cheap, yet equally dangerous attempt to manipulate the public, targeting a large number of people who work honestly in civil society organizations.
It is impossible to count the number of times over the past decades that the story of foreign mercenaries has been activated, always with malicious intent towards those who fight for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, even though civil society organizations are entirely transparent about the donations they receive from abroad. In this regard, it must be emphasized again that the vast majority of foreign donations go to the state of Serbia and its institutions.
According to OECD data, 85.7 percent of donations and international development aid are directed towards the government and state entities Republic of Serbia. An additional 12.3 percent is donated through associations, foundations, and international organizations for donor projects, while only 2 percent goes directly to the work of organizations, which often use this money to provide social and other services to those in need—services that the state frequently neglects to provide.
Vučićević also used alleged data that is not publicly available—e.g., the earnings (which are mostly average given the qualifications) of employees in the civil sector. This raises a frightening, yet entirely justified suspicion that protected data from various state institutions is going directly into the hands of a person who has chosen to slander, defame, and endanger innocent people for his (very profitable) job. Unauthorized sharing of confidential data is a criminal offense, and it is particularly concerning when the law is violated under the guise of institutions.
We demand that the highest authorities of the state of Serbia stop the persecution and intimidation of citizens who peacefully express disagreement with some of the government’s decisions. We appeal to the citizens of Serbia not to fall for cheap propaganda accusations against their fellow citizens who work in Serbia’s civil sector and are dedicated to fighting for the common public interest.
The statement is signed by –
- Autonomous Women’s Center
- Belgrade Open School
- Belgrade Center for Security Policy
- Belgrade Center for Human Rights
- BIRN
- Center for Contemporary Policies
- CRTA
- European movement in Serbia
- Humanitarian Law Center (HLC)
- Civic Initiatives
- Heartefact
- Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
- Youth Initiative for Human Rights
- NUNS
- Partners Serbia
- Polekol
- RERI
- Slavko Ćuruvija foundation
- Trag foundation
- YUCOM
- Zaječar’s Initiative
