The use of weapons for crowd control is an act of terrorism, according to non-governmental organizations
Definitely. March 15 in Belgrade there was an attack on the lives, bodies and freedoms of a large number of citizens, according to the assessment of several non-governmental organizations dealing with human rights, which are today because of that case Prosecutor's Office for Organized Crime share the criminal complaint for terrorism.
Katarina Golubović, director of the Committee of Lawyers for Human Rights of YUKOM, stated at a joint press conference that, after denials and rejection by domestic institutions, they turned to the European Court of Human Rights, on behalf of 47 citizens, for the issuance of an emergency measure.
According to her, on March 16, the organizations already had citizens' statements gathered as testimonies, which they reported to the competent authorities and handed over to the prosecutor's office within 48 hours of the event.
The prosecution has not yet qualified the crime
"It was necessary to turn to the United Nations, and then we sent a petition to the UN special rapporteur for endangering the safety of citizens and the right to health, assembly and expression, and asked for an effective investigation without political influence. We also asked them to call on the state of Serbia to stop the further use of means to break up the crowd," said Golubović.
"We saw that a large number of citizens were intimidated, we believe that a criminal act of terrorism was committed," said Golubović and stated that they contacted again the citizens who provided their testimonies for their consent to participate in the proceedings before the prosecutor's office, "however, some of them did not want to participate."
It is important to continue the proceedings before the First Basic Prosecutor's Office, which, as Golubović said, has not yet qualified the crime.
She noted that two days ago the joint EU-Serbia Committee adopted the Declaration calling for an effective investigation and to stop the persecution of those who talk about the events of March 15.
The organizations created a platform (zvuk.lab.rs) with more than 3.000 testimonies of people who participated in the protest on March 15.
The initiative was launched by the Belgrade Center for Human Rights (BCLJP), CRTA, Civic Initiatives, Initiative A11, YUKOM and FemPlatz.
The use of weapons for crowd control is an act of terrorism
Đorđe Krivokapić from the Share Foundation stated that 3.519 testimonies of participants were collected.
"The use of weapons for mass control is an act of terrorism, and the competent institutions failed to react," said Krivokapić and emphasized that the non-governmental organizations created the platform out of their duty to the citizens.
"The platform was launched to introduce people to the impressions, experiences and consequences of people," said Krivokapić and warned to be careful when using it, due to possible anxiety and traumatization.
"It is not recommended for sensitive people, there are frightening experiences," he pointed out and noted that sound weapons have never been used at a peaceful gathering and that in a moment of silence.
Vladic ilić from the BCLJP emphasized that the investigation into the use of a dangerous means for crowd control and suppression was ineffective from the very beginning.
"The state denied everything, we did not want a debate through the media, we responded, but the state ignored the largest number of evidence and arguments," Ilić said and concluded that non-governmental organizations expect international institutions to respond.
Source: FoNet
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