Use of spyware against freedom of expression in Serbia
Amid a worsening climate for free expression in Serbia, journalists and activists have become key targets of digital rights violations, driven by state repression and intrusive surveillance practices. IJAS has initiated litigation to challenge unlawful surveillance, focusing on the protection of journalists’ rights while laying the groundwork for broader safeguards.
The legal action was prompted by the surveillance of a journalist in Serbia, which led Amnesty International to investigate and confirm that this was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of rights violations. Their 2024 report—backed by digital forensic analysis—documented the use of intrusive surveillance technologies against journalists and civil society actors by the Ministry of Interior and the Security Intelligence Agency.
The litigation is part of a coordinated advocacy effort with other Serbian civil society organisations, aiming to reinforce privacy protections, defend digital rights, and hold institutions accountable for rights violations.
Use of spyware against freedom of expression in Serbia
Organisation Name
Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS)
Country/Jurisdiction
Serbia
Grant Amount
EUR 16,090
Current Status
Ongoing
Image credit: FlyD on Unsplash
Grant type
Litigation Track Support
Description
Amid a worsening climate for free expression in Serbia, journalists and activists have become key targets of digital rights violations, driven by state repression and intrusive surveillance practices. IJAS has initiated litigation to challenge unlawful surveillance, focusing on the protection of journalists’ rights while laying the groundwork for broader safeguards.
The legal action was prompted by the surveillance of a journalist in Serbia, which led Amnesty International to investigate and confirm that this was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of rights violations. Their 2024 report—backed by digital forensic analysis—documented the use of intrusive surveillance technologies against journalists and civil society actors by the Ministry of Interior and the Security Intelligence Agency.
The litigation is part of a coordinated advocacy effort with other Serbian civil society organisations, aiming to reinforce privacy protections, defend digital rights, and hold institutions accountable for rights violations.
"IJAS has initiated litigation to challenge unlawful surveillance, focusing on the protection of journalists’ rights while laying the groundwork for broader safeguards"
Strategic Goals
To establish legal limits on the state’s ability to monitor private communications, emphasizing that such practices are incompatible with democratic standards and the rule of law.