Centre for Civic Education (CCE) strongly condemns the latest public attack by Aleksandar Vučić on Balša Božović, Executive Director of the Regional Academy for the Development of Democracy (ADD), whom Vučić, in an address shared via social media, linked to criminal structures and Montenegrin intelligence circles that he accuses of acting against Serbia.
We are deeply concerned because such public targeting poses a serious security risk to Božović and his family, who have already been exposed for an extended period to an organised campaign of discreditation and pressure.
When one of the most influential political actors in Serbia publicly links a citizen, without presenting any evidence, to organised crime and foreign intelligence structures, this constitutes targeting that can have real consequences, particularly in a deeply polarised society in which political labels can easily turn into threats, persecution and other forms of pressure.
CCE warns that this campaign bears the hallmarks of organised propaganda aimed at turning a political dissenter into an “internal enemy”. Vučić’s accusations are further disseminated and amplified by media outlets and social media accounts sympathetic to him, thereby broadening and intensifying the targeting. Such an atmosphere can encourage individuals to turn political labels and verbal attacks into concrete threats or physical violence.
Božović has every right to publicly criticise, through arguments and facts, the conduct of the authorities and the state of democracy in Serbia, just as the authorities have the right to respond to his views. However, the authorities’ response to criticism cannot consist of portraying a critic as an associate of criminal clans, foreign intelligence services or an enemy of the state. Democracy entails precisely the right to criticise those in power without fear that an individual or their family will, as a result, be subjected to public persecution.
CCE calls on international organisations and institutions monitoring democracy, human rights and freedom of expression in Serbia to closely follow this campaign and clearly respond to such targeting and intimidation. We expect the competent institutions in Serbia to protect Božović and his family from threats and to promptly take action in response to every specific instance in which their safety is endangered. It is equally important to prevent any abuse of institutions and their powers for political retaliation against critics of the authorities.
Political power also entails greater responsibility for words spoken publicly. Therefore, responsibility for the consequences of any potential endangerment of Božović or his family will also rest with those who publicly target them without evidence, as well as with those who encourage and amplify such targeting.
We express our full solidarity with and support for Balša Božović and our colleagues at ADD in continuing, despite the pressure and attempts at intimidation, their work on the democratisation of society. Critical voices are not enemies of the state, but an essential part of any democratic society – one that the citizens of Serbia deserve.
Petar Đukanović, Programme Director