Several journalists teams traveling from Croatia to Serbia were stopped at the state border today, detained, and subsequently denied entry to Serbia.
Although the journalists from Croatia had proper invitation letters, they were denied entry based on an alleged negative security risk assessment, citing Article 15, Paragraph 1, Point 8 of the Law on Foreigners, in relation to the protection of the security of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens.
When making decisions regarding the rights and obligations of foreigners concerning entry and stay in Serbia, the police consult the national security authorities responsible for the protection of the security of the Republic of Serbia to assess whether a foreigner’s entry or stay presents an unacceptable security risk. We believe that this decision is based on an assessment by the Security and Information Agency (BIA).
The same Law states that “an unacceptable security risk exists if the available data and information indicate that a foreigner advocates, encourages, assists, prepares or undertakes activities that threaten the constitutional order and security of the Republic of Serbia, goods protected by international law and national, regional and global security of importance for the Republic of Serbia and the legal order” (Article 9 paragraph 1 point 3).
Taking into account the aforementioned article of the Law on Foreigners, it is not clear how the competent authority assessed that journalists pose a security risk to the constitutional order and security of Serbia and what available data on journalists indicate this.
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union from 2000 protects the civil, political and economic rights of individuals. It guarantees everyone the right to freedom of expression, the right to receive and transmit information and ideas without interference from public authorities and regardless of borders.
The Independent Journalists Association of Serbia believes that banning foreign journalists from entering Serbia is a violation of their human rights, as well as a violation of the Law on Public Information and the Media, which clearly states that “freedom of public information must not be violated by abuse of official position and public authority”, which was clearly done in these cases.
The SafeJournalists Network condemns this decision and calls on the state authorities to withdraw it immediately and allow journalists from abroad to carry out their work unhindered and safely.
The SafeJournalists Network will inform both national and international stakeholders about these troubling developments.
Any attack on journalists is an attack on democracy, public interest, and fundamental human rights.
Pristina – Skopje – Sarajevo – Zagreb – Belgrade – Podgorica, 14.03.2025
Association of Journalists of Kosovo
Association of Journalists of Macedonia
BH Journalists Association
Croatian Journalists’ Association
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia
Trade Union of Media of Montenegro
