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Serbia – Stigmatisation of human rights defender Ms Aida Ćorović
On 14 February 2011, the Serbian daily newspaper Danas published an
article stigmatising human rights defender Ms Aida Ćorović. Aida
Ćorović is a well known human rights figure in Sanjak and director of
the citizens' organisation “Urban-In”. She works in support of women's
rights and secularism in State institutions and against religious
fundamentalism.
The article published by the daily Danas on 14 February, was titled
Aida Corovic with Ravnogorci and Ljajic and was signed by Aida
Rasljanin on behalf of the Muslim Youth Club of the Islamic community
in Serbia. The article contained open threats and insults of a
personal nature (such as stating that Aida Ćorović is “frustrated by
failures in her personal 'gender life'”). It also accused her of
preparing the ground for a new genocide over Bosniaks and of being
paid to “spit on the people”. Furthermore, the article claims that
Aida Ćorović's activities will have negative consequences for Serbia's
inter-ethnic relations.
A joint statement condemning the article was issued by a number of
Serbian human rights organisations, which demanded an apology to Danas
for publishing an article that borders hate speech. The statement also
referred to previous instances of stigmatisation of human rights
defenders in Sandzak by political and religious leaders, including in
particular through the official media of Islamic community in Serbia“Voice of Islam”. On 17 February 2011, the President of Serbia
intervened condemning the use of “hate speech”.
The stigmatisation of Aida Ćorović's reflects a deep split between
secular and conservative Muslims in Serbia. Political disagreements
between the two groups have reportedly led to violent clashes in the
past.
Front Line is concerned at this instance of stigmatisation of the
legitimate and peaceful work of human rights defenders, especially in
light of Serbia's history of using media to target human rights
defenders. In the past, such public attacks by political, religious or
other actors has led to physical attacks against the human rights
defenders targeted.
Front Line urges the authorities in Serbia to:
Take measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of
Aida Ćorović;
Ensure that all media in Serbia do not publish articles containing
similar direct attacks to human rights defenders, which may result in
further obstacles to their legitimate and peaceful human rights work;
Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Serbia
are able to carry out their legitimate and peaceful work in defence of
human rights without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions
including judicial harassment.
