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Rule of law

Rule of law is one of the topics which we have begun to address over the past several years. In addition to limiting arbitrary governance and guaranteeing the protection of individual and collective rights, a state where the rule of law prevails is one of the preconditions for achieving inclusive economic growth. That is why one of our surveys was dedicated to finding out whether Serbian citizens encounter obstacles in exercising their rights before state authorities or judicial institutions. Data indicates that very often, in two out of three cases, citizens fail to report obstacles in exercising their rights. The main reason is their lack of trust in the impartiality and efficiency of state institutions. We also analyzed the free legal aid system and showed how important it is when it comes to exercising rights of citizens, particularly those from vulnerable groups. Most citizens use free legal aid because they cannot afford a lawyer. The practice of pro se legal representation is also widespread. SeConS is actively engaged in analyzing the process of adopting laws and public policies in the Republic of Serbia. Being involved in the CSO coalition Open Parliament, we examined the activities of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and discovered important mechanisms of the legislative process in Serbia. The executive branch of government plays a crucial role in creating laws. But external consultants are often engaged (experts, representatives from the nongovernmental sector, etc.) to participate in the preparation of bills, although it is not always clear who they speak for and whose interests they represent. Another important link in the legislative process is the National Assembly. However, data shows that members of parliament only dedicate half of a single working day to each bill, as the parliament is under pressure from a large number of bills to be adopted, and urgent ones in particular. In addition to the “shallow” legislative role of the National Assembly, we discovered a similarly “shallow” and superficial role of the public: public debates are not an adequately efficient means for the public and the civil society to be included in the legislative process, as they are held rarely, with tight deadlines and with no obligation to include ideas brought forward in public debates into the bills.

Related projects

Policy making and analysis

Rule of law, Local development.

Rapid assessment of child begging in Montenegro

Rule of law, Human security, Social inclusion and poverty reduction.

Evaluation of The joint regional project “Dialogue for the Future – DFF”

Rule of law, Human security, Sustainable development goals, Social inclusion and poverty reduction.

Interdisciplinary short cycle programs in public policy making and analysis (PPMA)

Rule of law, Local development.

Evaluation of Developmental Assistance to the Republic of Serbia

Rule of law, Sustainable development goals, Local development.

Why are citizens protesting and what do they expect?

Rule of law.

Strengthening Civic Engagement and Government Responsiveness in Serbia: Ex-Post Evaluation

Rule of law, Local development.

Monitoring of the Social Situation in Serbia MONS

Gender equality, Rule of law, Human security, Sustainable development goals, Social inclusion and poverty reduction, Employment, Migration, Local development, Youth and children, Social economy and entrepreneurship.

Open Parliament

Rule of law.

Better Definition of Urgent Procedure

Rule of law.

Party Patronage in Kosovo and Serbia

Rule of law, Local development.

Related publications

Young people in Serbia 2015

study

Evaluation of the National Action Plan for the Implementation of the National Strategy for Improving the Position of Women and Promoting Gender Equality in the Republic of Serbia

report

The Role of Community Development and Citizen Engagement Activities in Strengthening Civic Engagement and Government Responsiveness in Serbia

report

Towards transparent and accountable institutions: suppressing clientelism and improving citizens' trust in institutions

other publication

Are Institutions Providing Human Security? Trust in Public Institutions Across the Balkans and Turkey

report

Towards transparent and accountable political institutions in Serbia

policy brief

Briefing on Party Patronage and Clientelism in Serbia

other publication

Public Sector Employment According to Political Party Affiliation: One of the Key Mechanisms of Political Clientelism in Contemporary Serbia

policy brief

Informal power networks, political patronage and clientelism in Serbia and Kosovo

study

Access to Justice and Free Legal Aid in Serbia

study

How laws are made in Serbia: The role of social interests and institutions in the legislative process

study

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