The report provides independent insight into progress achieved in the areas covered by Chapters 23 and 24 in Serbia, as well as advancing recommendations for improvements in the monitored areas.
The present report contains the findings of prEUgovor coalition for the period from October 2017 to March 2018.
It consists of three basic sections dedicated to the assessment of situation regarding fulfilment of political criteria for accession, Chapter 23 and Chapter 24. Main finding of last monitoring period is that Serbia did not achieve any significant progress in the areas covered by the political criteria, Chapters 23 and 24; moreover, the situation in some areas has even deteriorated. The announced revision of the Action Plans for these two Chapters is to take place in the course of 2018, but it is questionable to what extent this will be done. Based on the current slow pace implementation of Action Plans and the tendency to focus on the form instead of substance, it is unlikely to expect, unless the situation changes significantly, that Serbia will be able to fulfil its obligations and become a reliable member of the European Union in 2025.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1. POLITICAL CRITERIA
1.1. Democracy - Presidential Elections
1.2. Democratic and Civilian Control over the Security Sector
1.3. Regional Issues and Good Neighbourly Relations
1.4. Normalisation of Relations between Serbia and Kosovo
1.5. Anti-Discrimination Policy and Gender Equality
2. CHAPTER 23 - JUDICIARY AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
2.1. Judiciary
2.1.1. Impartiality and Accountability
2.1.2. Professionalism/Competence/Efficiency
2.2. Fight against Corruption
2.2.1. Strategic Plans
2.2.2. Governmental Priorities and Their Implementation
2.2.3. Work of the Parliament
2.2.4. Unfulfilled Action Plans’ Measures
2.2.5 Anti-Corruption Policy in the Police
2.3. Fundamental Rights
2.3.1. Personal Data Protection
2.3.2. Principle of Non-Discrimination and Social Position of Vulnerable Groups
2.3.3. Rights of the Child
2.3.4. Strengthening of Procedural Safeguards in Line with EU Standards
2.3.5. Access to Information of Public Importance
3. CHAPTER 24 - JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND SECURITY
3.1. Migration and Asylum
3.2. Police Reform
3.3. Fight against Organised Crime
3.3.1. Suppressing and Combating Human Trafficking
3.3.2. Position of Human Trafficking Victims in Court Proceedings
3.4. Fight against Terrorism
Members of the prEUgovor are:
ASTRA - Anti trafficking Action, Autonomus Women's Center (AWC), Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP), Center for Applied European Studies (CAES), Center for Investigative Reporting in Serbia (CIRS), Group 484 and Transparency Serbia (TS)
Mission of the prEUgovor is to oversee the implementation of policies in the field of judiciary and fundamental rights (Chapter 23) and Justice, freedom and security (Chapter 24) and propose measures to improve the reforms, using the process of EU integration to achieve substantial progress in the further democratization of Serbia.
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This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of coalition prEUgovor and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
Publication of this study was supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Belgrade. The opinions expressed in the publication are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
