Series Reports 13 Series Reports HUMAN RIGHTS IN SERBIA 2009 LEGAL PROVISIONS AND PRACTICE COMPARED TO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS Publisher The Belgrade Centre for Human Rights Beogradska 54, Beograd, Tel/fax. (011) 308 5328, 344 7121 e-mail: [email protected]; www.bgcentar.org.rs For the publisher Dr. Vojin Dimitrijević Editor Dina Dobrković Translation Duška Tomanović ISBN 978-86-7202-117-2 Prepress and printing Dosije studio, Belgrade HUMAN RIGHTS IN SERBIA 2009 LEGAL PROVISIONS AND PRACTICE COMPARED TO INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS Belgrade Centre for Human Rights Belgrade, 2010 The publication of the Report was financially assisted by the Delegation of the European Union in Belgrade and the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. The views expressed in the Report are the views of BCHR associates. Contents Abbreviations. 15 Preface . 19 Introduction . 21 Summary . 29 Human Rights in Legislation . 29 Human Rights in Practice. 35 I LEGAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO HUMAN RIGHTS . 41 1. Human Rights in the Legal System of Serbia . 41 1.1. Introduction . 41 1.2. Constitutional Provisions on Human Rights. 42 1.3. International Human Rights and Serbia . 42 2. Right to Effective Legal Remedy for Human Rights Violations. 46 2.1. Ordinary Legal Remedies . 46 2.2. Constitutional Appeal . 47 2.3. Enforcement of Decisions by International Bodies . 49 3. Restrictions and Derogation . 50 3.1. Restrictions of Human Rights. 51 3.2. Derogation in “Time of Public Emergency”. 53 3.2.1. General . 53 3.2.2. State of War . 53 3.2.3. State of Emergency . 54 4. Individual Rights. 55 4.1. Prohibition of Discrimination . 55 4.1.1. General . 55 4.1.2. Anti-Discrimination Act. 57 4.1.3. Act on Prevention of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities . 61 5 Human Rights in Serbia 2009 4.1.4. Gender Equality . 62 4.2. Right to Life . 63 4.2.1. General . 64 4.2.2. Arbitrary Deprivation of Life . 65 4.2.3. Protection of Life of Detainees and Prisoners. 66 4.2.4. Obligation of the State to Protect Lives from Risks to Life. 67 4.2.4.1. Health Risks . 67 4.2.4.2. Life in a Healthy Environment . 67 4.2.5. Abortion . 71 4.3. Prohibition of Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment . 72 4.3.1. General . 72 4.3.2. Criminal Law . 73 4.3.3. Criminal Proceedings and Penalty Enforcement. 75 4.3.4. Use of Force by Police. 77 4.4. Prohibition of Slavery and Forced Labour . 80 4.4.1. General . 81 4.4.2. Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of People . 82 4.4.2.1. Trafficking in Human Beings . 82 4.4.2.2. Trafficking in Human Organs . 84 4.4.2.3. Smuggling of People . 85 4.4.3. Confiscation of Crime Proceeds and Redress of Victims . 86 4.4.4. Forced Labour . 86 4.5. Right to Liberty and Security of Person; Treatment of Persons Deprived of Their Liberty . 88 4.5.1. Right to Liberty and Security of Person . 89 4.5.1.1. Prohibition of Arbitrary Arrest and Detention. 89 4.5.1.2. Right to Be Informed of Reasons for Arrest and Charges . 92 4.5.1.3. Right to Be Brought Promptly Before a Judge and to a Trial within a Reasonable Time. 93 4.5.1.4. Right to Appeal to Court against Deprivation of Liberty . 94 4.5.1.5. Right to Compensation for Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty . 95 4.5.1.6. Right to Security of Person . 95 4.5.2. Treatment of Persons Deprived of Their Liberty . 95 4.5.2.1. Humane Treatment and Respect for Dignity. 95 4.5.2.2. Segregation of Accused and Convicted Persons, Juveniles and Adults. 96 4.6. Right to a Fair Trial. 96 6 Contents 4.6.1. Judicial System . 99 4.6.2. Independence and Impartiality of Courts . 100 4.6.2.1. Election of Judges . 100 4.6.2.2. Judicial Tenure . 105 4.6.2.3. Termination of Judicial Tenure . 105 4.6.2.4. Principle of Non-Transferability . 106 4.6.2.5. Recusal . 106 4.6.2.6. Supervision and Protection . 106 4.6.2.7. Incompatibility . 107 4.6.2.8. Right to Case Assignment on a Random Basis . 107 4.6.2.9. Judicial Training. 108 4.6.3. Fairness . 109 4.6.4. Trial within Reasonable Time . 111 4.6.5. Public Character of Hearings and Judgments . 113 4.6.6. Guarantees to Defendants in Criminal Cases . 115 4.6.6.1. Presumption of Innocence . 116 4.6.6.2. Prompt Notification of Charges, in Language Understood by the Defendant . 117 4.6.6.3. Sufficient Time and Facilities for Preparation of Defence and Right to Communicate with Legal Counsel . 117 4.6.6.4. Prohibition of Trials in absentia and the Right to Defence . 118 4.6.6.5. Right to Call and Examine Witnesses . 120 4.6.6.6. Right to an Interpreter . 121 4.6.6.7. Prohibition of Self-Incrimination. 122 4.6.6.8. Right to Appeal . 122 4.6.6.9. Right to Compensation . 123 4.6.6.10. Ne bis in idem . 123 4.6.7. Constitutional Judiciary . 124 4.7. Protection of Privacy, Family, Home and Correspondence . 125 4.7.1. General . 125 4.7.2. Personal Data – Access and Collection . 126 4.7.2.1. General Regulations. 126 4.7.2.2. Classified Information Act. 129 4.7.2.3. Opening of State Security Files . 131 4.7.2.4. Powers of the State Security Services . 131 4.7.2.5. Protection of Privacy by Criminal Law. 133 4.7.3. Home . 133 4.7.4. Correspondence . 134 4.7.5. Family and Domestic Relations. 136 4.7.6. Sexual Autonomy. 138 4.8. Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion . 138 7 Human Rights in Serbia 2009 4.8.1. General . 139 4.8.2. Separation of Church and State . ..