Human Rights House Awarded Annual Recognition and Presented Key Human Rights Observations in Serbia for 2025

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Human Rights and Democracy House in Belgrade hosted a Conference on Wednesday, 10 December, dedicated to the current state of human rights in the Republic of Serbia. The event presented key findings in the field of human rights for 2025, focusing on freedom of assembly and association, freedom of expression, and digital surveillance. Thematic panels featured representatives of civil society organizations that are members of the Human Rights House and the Platform for Cooperation with the United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms.

A special segment of the event was the traditional annual award ceremony of the Human Rights House, recognizing individuals and organizations for their contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights. The recipients of the Human Rights House Award for 2025 are:

• Students of the State University of Novi Pazar and students of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade

Students in blockade across Serbia have, for more than a year, demonstrated the spirit of resistance and the struggle for accountability, justice, and a better, functional society courageously and sincerely. The joint struggle of students from all universities and higher education institutions in Serbia vividly illustrates the true meaning of tolerance, solidarity, and mutual care. Through persistent marches across the country, they have raised the standard of civic courage and set an inspiring example for the entire society. The Human Rights House Award represents recognition of students’ perseverance and principled struggle, as well as an opportunity to collectively express support to all those who bravely defend the rule of law, justice, and fundamental democratic values and human rights.

• Informal Group of Judges and Prosecutors “Defense of the Profession”

By awarding this year’s recognition to the informal group of judges and prosecutors “Defense of the Profession,” we seek to give special acknowledgment and public support to courageous individuals within the judiciary who, faced with numerous challenges and pressures, have united in defense of the very foundations of the rule of law and judicial independence. By forming this informal group, these judges and prosecutors have, in their own way, filled the vacuum left by the highest judicial institutions – the High Council of the Judiciary and the High Prosecutorial Council – when they failed to provide adequate support and protection in critical moments, thus neglecting their fundamental role as guardians of judicial independence and autonomy. “Defense of the Profession” demonstrates that acting in accordance with the Constitution and the law must not be a matter of personal choice for holders of judicial office, but an obligation and the cornerstone of individual responsibility within any institution in a just and democratic society. 

• Portal “Glas Zaječara”

Glas Zaječara represents a rare and extremely important point of independent information in eastern Serbia. Despite numerous difficulties, pressures, threats, and even physical attacks, Glas Zaječara persists in professional, courageous, and consistent reporting on issues of direct importance to citizens, serving as an example of a media outlet truly dedicated to the local community. Since its founding in early 2018, the years 2024 and 2025 have been the most challenging, primarily due to pressures, threats, and the serious endangerment of the safety of the newsroom’s journalists.

• N1 Newsroom in Belgrade

The Human Rights House Award for 2025 is also granted to the N1 newsroom for its outstanding, professional, courageous, and continuous contribution to reporting on student and civic protests across Serbia, human rights violations, and attacks on citizens and journalists. Through consistent, responsible, and timely public reporting, N1 played a crucial role throughout the year in safeguarding citizens’ right to freedom of information and expression, despite strong pressures and serious security risks faced by the newsroom. Their perseverance, professionalism, and dedication to the public interest ensured access to independent, verified, and relevant information, standing as a rare bright example and strong support for human rights values in our society.

As part of the programme, the Human Rights House in Belgrade was awarded the Golden Dove of Peace, an award established in 2008 and granted to organizations, individuals, or institutions that have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Through this year’s awards, the Human Rights House sought to send a message of support to those who, despite being under great pressure, continue to work with dedication and integrity on issues of vital importance to our society.

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