Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic described the rule of law as Serbia’s fundamental and continuing commitment.
At a conference launching the three-year project Support for victims and witnesses of criminal offences, supported by the EU with EUR1.5 million, President Vucic said that “victims are often unable to seek justice, so we have to do it on their behalf” adding that “justice must be integral part of the entire system, not only judiciary.”
It is important for witnesses to trust the system, President Vucic said, adding that by refusing to witness and tell the truth, the whole society is hurt.
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“We need a superb national mechanism and to admit that mistakes are being made and that bias is natural,” Vucic said, adding that mistakes and biases are most evident in cases where victims belong to one of the marginalised groups.
“She was asking for it – this is a common reaction to cases of sexual violence,” Vucic reminded, adding that justice cannot be discriminatory.
“Serbia needs to have a clear policy, in line with European values,” Serbian President said and added that out of 9,753 petitions he received this year, 80 per cent concerned judiciary.
“Serbian people still perceive courts as unfair,” Vucic said.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi said that each year, 15 per cent of Europeans, i.e. some 75 million people, fall victim to violence.
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“We have to create conditions for victims to enjoy protection and have their rights observed. Victims should be protected from harassment, have full access to justice, and receive support and financial compensation,” Fabrizi said.
According to him, the project Support for victims and witnesses of criminal offences has more to do with Serbian citizens’ wellbeing than the process of European integration.
