Implementation of Transitional Laws in Serbia 2006

Implementation of Transitional Laws in Serbia 2006IntroductionIn the period from January to December 2006, the Youth Initiative for HumanRights (hereinafter the Initiative) conducted research into the implementationof transitional laws. The Initiative monitored the implementation of theLaw on Public Information , the Law on Broadcasting , the Law on FreeAccess to Information of Public Importance (hereinafter the Law on FreeAccess to Information) , the Law on the Organization and Jurisdictionof Governmental Organs in Procedures for War Crimes (in further textthe Law on War Crimes Prosecution) , and the Law on the Protector ofCitizens. For research into the implementation of each of the five observed laws, dueto their specifications, a special methodology was used. The implementationof laws that regulate the sphere of the media, the Law on Public Informationand the Law on Broadcasting, were observed by obtaining and analyzingmedia reports, as well as the reports of non-governmental organizationsthat deal with the protection of marginalized groups and fight against hatespeech. The activities of state organs and institutions appointed by the lawitself were also observed, especially the Republic Broadcasting Agency.The methodology for observing the implementation of the Law on FreeAccess to Information consisted primarily of directly testing whether, inwhat measure and in which way the organs of public government implementthis law. During 2004 and 2005, the Initiative sent requests for free access toinformation to the organs of public government, and analyzed their actionsregarded the submitted requests. Testing of the efficiency of the Officeof the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance (hereinafterthe Commissioner) , with regular contact with this institution, was alsocontinued.The implementation of Laws on the processing of war crimes was tested The Law on Public Information, adopted on April 22 nd , 2003, Official Gazette of RS number 43/04 The Law on Broadcasting, adopted on July 18 th , 2002, entered into force on July 27 th , 2002, Official Gazetteof RS number 42/2002 The Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance, adopted on 2 nd , November 2004, entered intoforce on November 13 th , 2004, Official Gazette of RS number 120/04 The Law on the Organization and Jurisdiction of Government Organs in Processes against the Perpetrators ofWar Crimes, adopted on July 1 st , 2003, Official Gazette of RS number 67/03 The Law on the Protector of Citizens, adopted on September 16 th , 2005, entered into force on September 24 th ,2005, Official Gazette of RS number 79/05 The Law on Free Access to Information, article 30, see above under 3