Work in this thematic area focuses on prisons and police (including human rights in policing, healthcare in prisons and safeguards against torture and ill-treatment), human rights standards in the judiciary (focusing on enhancing the application of case-law of the European Court of Human Rights), migration issues, the efficiency of justice systems (with a focus on analysing judicial statistics to optimise court administrations) and/or legal co-operation (which concentrates on increasing the individual independence of judges and prosecutors and the accountability of the judicial system).

Back Potential amendments to Serbia's Data Protection Law with emphasis on Freedom of Expression discussed with local actors

Belgrade 8 August 2024
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Potential amendments to Serbia's Data Protection Law with emphasis on Freedom of Expression discussed with local actors

The intricate balance between data protection and freedom of expression has emerged as a critical issue within the realm of journalism. The 2018 adoption of the Law on Data Protection by the Government of Serbia marked a significant step in aligning national legislation with the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This law enshrines the necessity of reconciling the right to personal data protection, as prescribed by the GDPR, with the equally fundamental right to freedom of expression.

With the possibility for amendment of this Law on the horizon, the Division for Co-operation on Freedom of Expression assisted the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection through a focus group involving civil society organisations. The activity, supported by EU and Council of Europe aimed at evaluating the law's implementation and identifying potential improvements, with particular emphasis on safeguarding freedom of expression.

The discussion addressed the scope of the Commissioner's competencies as promulgated by the Law, particularly in the context of providing opinions on other sector-specific laws that require careful consideration regarding data processing. Insights from civil society organisations, including journalists' associations, will be incorporated into a Policy Advice Paper to the Commissioner.

This focus group was organised by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression, through the action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in Serbia (PROFREX)”, which is part of the joint European Union - Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.

 

Actions under theme I: Strengthening justice

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.