The Security Sector in the State of Emergency: Testing Democracy
The Security Sector in the State of Emergency: Testing Democracy

Author(s): Isidora Stakić, Jelena Pejić Nikić, Katarina Đokić, Marija Ignjatijević
Subject(s): Politics, Civil Society, Governance, Government/Political systems, Security and defense, Globalization
Published by: BCBP Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku
Keywords: Military; Oversight; Police; Security Services; COVID-19
Summary/Abstract: This analysis by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (BCSP) concludes that during the 52 days it spent in a state of emergency, Serbia failed the test of democracy, thanks to a series of failings and irregularities in the conduct and control of the security sector.The police did not always conduct themselves professionally, proportionately and as politically neutral agents primarily concerned with the needs and rights of citizens. The criteria on the basis of which the Ministry of the Interior issued permits for movement during the curfew were not prescribed, which is why they were misused during the flare-lighting incident. People who arrived in Serbia before the state of emergency was declared were often not informed that they had been placed under mandatory self-isolation. Police harassment was observed in at least three cases, with the police internal control department reacting publicly only once.

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