Serbia: Human Rights

Mr. Hague
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received representations from Human Rights Watch on the reported threats and harassment against Ms Natasa Kandic, the head of the Humanitarian Law Centre in Belgrade, and other human rights activists in Serbia; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband
We have received no representations from Human Rights Watch.

We are following closely and with concern the threats and harassment experienced by the Humanitarian Law Centre in Belgrade and other non-governmental organisations.

On 29 February the EU made formal representations to the Serbian Government in Belgrade, in which it expressed concern about the pressure currently exerted on some of the Serbian media and non-governmental organisations.

Mr. Hague
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made representations to his Serbian counterpart on observing the safety and human rights of Ms Natasa Kandic, the head of the Humanitarian Law Centre in Belgrade, and other human rights activists in Serbia.

David Miliband
We deplore threats made against individuals and non-governmental organisations in Serbia and the attack on 21 February against the premises of the Humanitarian Law Centre in Belgrade, which Ms Kandic heads.

On 29 February the EU made formal representations to the Serbian Government in Belgrade, in which it expressed concern about the pressure currently exerted on some of the Serbian media and non-governmental organisations.