The National Association of Lawyers of Serbia started a three-day strike on Monday in protest against the new judicial reform, which is opposed by the European Union as, according to Brussels, it is likely to increase the pressure on the country’s courts.
Lawyers who participate in the strike will not appear in courts, prosecutors or other authorities, except for cases involving minors or detention decisions.
The Serbian parliament last month approved a series of changes to the laws on the judiciary, proposed by MP Ugljesa Mrdic of the ruling Progressive Party, without holding any public debate or consultation with prosecutors, judges or international organizations. Mrdic has described the proposed amendments as necessary for the return of the judiciary, which is under foreign control, to the state and people of Serbia.
Critics say the reform will reduce the independence of judges and weaken security guarantees for prosecutors, at a time when a number of high-profile corruption investigations into several government officials and President Aleksandar Vucic’s Progressive Party are ongoing.
“Approving changes to regulations outside the legal procedure and without public consultation is unacceptable and in flagrant violation of the rule of law,” the Bar Association said in a statement.
Earlier this month, the European Union asked Serbia to withdraw the amendments, warning that otherwise the bloc’s financial support for the Balkan country would be reconsidered.
