Human Rights House Awarded Annual Recognition and Presented Key Human Rights Observations in Serbia for 2024

To mark International Human Rights Day, the Human Rights House in Belgrade organized a conference on Friday, December 13th, focusing on the current state of human rights in Serbia.

At the event, key findings for 2024 were shared, highlighting issues around freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, elections and voting rights, the ban on torture and degrading treatment, and the situation of vulnerable groups, including Roma, LGBTQI+ individuals, and gender equality. Representatives from civil society organizations that are part of the Human Rights House and the Platform for Cooperation with UN Human Rights Mechanisms participated in thematic panels.

The conference raised concerns about worsening human rights conditions in Serbia, with increasing arrests at public gatherings and attacks on journalists. Reports from the Platform show that by November 21, 2024, there were 177 incidents of detentions and arrests, compared to 201 incidents throughout 2023. Uroš Jovanović from Civic Initiatives noted that people attending protests are publicly targeted by tabloids, aiming to punish and discourage further participation.

Sonja Tošković, Executive Director of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, said 2024 has been marked by continuous protests—by students, educators, lawyers, and farmers. She emphasized that the lack of timely or appropriate police response has increased societal tensions and created a volatile situation.

A special part of the event was the annual Human Rights House Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations for their contributions to promoting and protecting human rights.

The 2024 Award Winners are:

1. Jelena Štulić and LINK Sombor – Jelena is a youth worker and founder of the LINK Community Development Center in Sombor. LINK has become a recognized youth center offering workshops, education, volunteer activities, summer camps, and youth exchanges. Jelena’s dedication to youth participation, peace activism, and inclusion makes her a symbol of local leadership and positive change.
2. Katarina Dimitrijević and the Alternative Cultural Center “Gnezdo” in Kruševac – Gnezdo promotes human rights values despite frequent pressures and even physical attacks. Its dedication to building unity and creating a community where everyone is welcome makes Gnezdo a symbol of activism and the spirit of Kruševac.

3. Marija Vukelić, a camerawoman for Al Jazeera, recognized for her courageous, professional, and accurate coverage of protests across Serbia. By capturing events firsthand, she ensures that the public sees the reality of how human rights are respected – or violated. Her dedication to showing these moments deserves recognition.

This year’s awards honor local heroes and women working under significant pressure who, despite challenges, continue to do meaningful and impactful work for society.

The Human Rights House is consisted of organizations committed to strengthening democracy and human rights, including: the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, Civic Initiatives, the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia, the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights – YUCOM and Policy Center.