Drawing the Links to Human Rights and Investing in People
Drawing the Links to Human Rights and Investing in People

Author(s): Maja Bjeloš, Marija Pavlović
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Social Sciences, Criminal Law, International Law, Civil Society, Sociology, Economic policy, Security and defense, Social development, Social Informatics, EU-Legislation, Geopolitics, Politics of History/Memory
Published by: BCBP Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku
Keywords: Cyber attacks; Cybercrime; Information and Communication Technology; Privacy violations; Human rights; Biometric surveillance; Democracy; Internet fraud; Identity theft
Summary/Abstract: Cybercrime and cybersecurity have become critical issues in Serbia, reflecting a global trend of increasing cyber threats. In 2020, Serbia experienced approximately 26 million significant cyberattacks, including unauthorized data collection and intrusions into ICT systems. Citizens also faced severe violations of privacy, an uptick in attacks on human rights defenders, and challenges related to emerging technologies like biometric surveillance. Public concerns highlight the risk of these technologies being misused against citizens amid democratic backsliding. Recent incidents, such as internet fraud targeting major institutions and a cyberattack on Serbia's cadastre, underscore the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures. Despite advances in the legal framework—anchored by the 2016 Law on Information Security and aligned with EU standards—implementation lags behind the evolving threats. Serbia’s cybersecurity landscape includes provisions for protecting critical infrastructure and digital networks while addressing cybercrime through international conventions like the Budapest Convention. The Belgrade Centre for Security Policy conducted a baseline analysis and interviews with stakeholders in early 2022 to evaluate the effectiveness of Serbia’s institutional and legal response to cybersecurity challenges. Although the country has made significant progress in legislative development, the enforcement of these measures remains insufficient to address the growing complexity of cyber threats. The report emphasizes the necessity for the state to uphold human rights and the rule of law while enhancing its capacity to combat cybersecurity risks effectively.

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