Belgrade, September 12, 2022


                                                                                PUBLIC STATEMENT

                            RED LINE FOR THE PATRIARCH

                                                                           
Forum for Security and Democracy condemns in the strongest possible terms the public pressure on government institutions by the Serbian Orthodox Church and its head which are– even for that institution – without precedent!

FSD views the Church’s and patriarch’s unambiguous support for public gatherings that voice demands systematic discrimination against Serbia’s citizens as an attempt by the Church to place itself and its “teaching” above the Constitution and the above law.

FSD reminds and points out that these gatherings – apart from their goal to through threats of violence and unrest unduly influence the country’s domestic policy – are simultaneously exerting overt pressure aimed at changing the country’s foreign policy, which is increasingly apparent and which has become the chief purpose and motive for their organization! Just as is the incitement of attempts to radically undermine Serbia’s security.

FSD also reminds the future Prime Minister and the President of Serbia of their proclaimed political agenda and goals, which also include full-fledged membership of Serbia in the EU – which entails a total and unimpeded enjoyment of constitutional freedoms that are guaranteed to all of Serbia’s citizens.

It is for this reason that FSD expects and encourages the president and the future government to persevere in achieving this goal, heedless of the pressures coming from a single(doesn’t matter if it is the largest!) religious organization that in this field openly and shamelessly promotes Russia’s foreign-policy agenda and ideology. This would immeasurably bolster the expected and much-needed secularization and political emancipation of Serbia and Serbian society, as well as the further continuation of its EU integration processes.

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