Serbia: Draft law on foreign agents risks democratic and EU integration goals

Presentation by
Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Dimitris Dimitriades, President of the EESC's Section for External Relations, EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group Presidency
Organisation
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is deeply concerned about the draft law submitted to the Serbian Parliament on 29 November 2024, proposing the establishment of a registry for "agents of foreign influence". The proposed legislation would require organisations receiving foreign funding to register with the Ministry of Justice as “foreign agents”, imposing severe penalties for non-compliance.

As with similar initiatives in other candidate countries, such as in the case of Georgia, the EESC reiterates that such legislation is incompatible with the fundamental values of the European Union, which Serbia, as an EU candidate country, is expected to uphold.

This draft law poses a serious and direct threat to civil society organisations, jeopardising their role in safeguarding democratic values, human rights, and European integration.

We call on Serbian lawmakers to consider the implications of the proposed draft law and avoid actions that could harm civil society and hinder Serbia's progress on their European path.

Following the first EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group led a mission to Serbia, on 27-28 November 2024 and the 18th meeting of the EU-Serbia Joint Consultative Committee thereafter, the EESC will continue to stand with Serbian civil society in fostering open, transparent dialogue on the country's future and its commitment to fundamental rights and the rule of law.

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