Serbia

Serbia regularly reports data on hate crimes to ODIHR. Serbia's Criminal Code contains a general penalty enhancement provision and a substantive offence provision. The data reported to ODIHR also include cases of incitement to hatred, individual defamation, other hate speech offences, discrimination and the violation of equality. Serbia's Prosecutor's Office collects data on hate crime.

SELECT YEAR

OFFICIAL DATA

Year	Hate crimes recorded by police	Prosecuted	Sentenced
2019	86	14	10
2018	61	12	7
2017	5	0	0
2016	9	1	2
2015	79	7	19
2014	87	21	14
2013	64	24	16
2012	36	39	37
2011	39	36	24
2010	37	35	13
2009	82	16	44

About 2013 Data

Figures include crimes of incitement to hatred.

National developments

On 1 January 2013, the new provision on aggravating circumstances of the Criminal Code of Serbia entered into force. Section 54a provides for an enhanced penalty when a crime has been committed based on hatred towards race, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office, in co-operation with the British Embassy, launched a project establishing an information service for victims and witnesses within the prosecutor’s office. In addition, a pilot service was established within the High Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade.

Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See

Reports

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

The Regional Centre for Minorities reported a physical assault by a group against a group of Hungarians; one incident of damage to a building that was housing asylum seekers, causing them to leave; and an arson attack against a barracks that were being prepared to house asylum seekers.

Anti-Semitic hate crime

The Federation of Jewish Communities reported one incident of threats against a Jewish man and his family and one case of the desecration of a cemetery. The Regional Centre for Minorities reported the desecration of one further Jewish cemetery, in which 39 tombstones were destroyed. World Without Nazism reported one incident of the desecration of a cemetery.

Anti-Muslim hate crime

The Regional Centre for Minorities reported two incidents of the desecration of mosques and one incident of assault resulting in serious injury carried out by a group against two employees at a halal restaurant, also causing serious damage to the restaurant. World Without Nazism reported one incident of physical assault carried out by a group, resulting in serious injury and also in significant damage to the restaurant where the victim worked.

Anti-LGBTI hate crime

Labris reported one physical assault carried out by a group against two gay men.

Anti-Roma hate crime

The Regional Centre for Minorities and Chachipe reported an incident of damage to a monument to a Roma musician. Chachipe reported the murder of a Roma teenager, whose body was found in a pond; two physical assaults; two attacks against settlements by groups of from 20 to 50 attackers, resulting in several victims being hospitalized; threats of arson and damage to property; and one additional incident of damage to property. The Regional Centre for Minorities reported four physical assaults, including one carried out by a group against a young Roma man, two carried out by groups on Roma settlements in Niš and Resnik, and one against a Roma man and woman in a shopping centre. The Centre also reported one incident of threats.