Human Rights Field Operation in Serbia

Belgrade, 17th April 2007

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is deeply disturbed by the bomb attack directed at the journalist Mr. Dejan Anastasijevic and his family.

This attack represents another in a series of troubling threats and assaults against journalists as well as a threat to the physical security of Mr. Anastasijevi?. It represents an attack not only against independent and unbiased journalism but also against national efforts to deal with the crimes of the past, beginning a truth and reconciliation process, and combating organized crime.

The need for a prompt resolution of this case is urgent as the perpetrators may be encouraged by a climate of impunity created as a result of the lack of arrests in the unresolved murders of the journalists Radislava “Dada” Vujasinovi?, Slavko ?uruvija and Milan Panti?.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urges the authorities in Serbia to promptly identify the perpetrators and possible instigators of this attack and bring them to justice.