In one of the most striking cases, the indictment against Miroslav MiškoviÄ? raises questions. Has proportionality been respected in his long pre-trial detention and his travel ban? Why was the judge, who temporarily gave Miskovic his passport back, suddenly replaced? Why is one individual picked without systematically investigating others? What is the role of politics in this case, which qualifies as a showcase trial due to its prominence?
Another example of the dubious use of judicial instruments is the case of the ombudsman Sasa Jankovic. He investigates presumably illegal actions by the secret military agency against individual political activists and politicians. The minister of defense and the majority of the assigned parliamentary committee refuse to give him information, which he is entitled to, and are hence undermining his rights. Suddenly, he is confronted with media attacks, which are based on the death of a friend 20 years ago. The close timeframe is cause for suspicion, because the defamation of politically inconvenient people is a popular instrument in authoritarian regimes. No EU accession candidate should be under such suspicion.
There are also questions around the freedom of the press. Prime Minister Vu?iÄ? publicly attacked the independent, EU co-funded. journalist network BIRN, after they published allegations of bribery against his government in a case of the allocation of a public contract. Twelve NGOs supported journalists in a letter and accused the government of basically stopping the fight against corruption.
EU membership provides the chance to stabilize the Western Balkans in the long term. One does not have to be reminded of the Yugoslav wars. The current flows of refugees show again how everything happening in the Balkans directly affects the current EU members. A political and economic disintegration, such as the current one in Macedonia, increases the risk of instability, migration, and ultimately armed conflict. Inaction is not an option and would also be detrimental to Germany.
Stabilization will, however, only work if the European Union enforces its conditions with rigor, perseverance, and the necessary support. This includes good neighborly cooperation in the Balkans as well as the substantial fight against corruption and fundamental reform of the judiciary.
In other Balkan countries we have seen that the fight against corruption and the reform of the judiciary was well imitated, but not seriously implemented. We cannot allow this to happen again in Serbia.
