Jovo Bakić’s accusations of corruption have prompted government officials to make false statements about him, in an effort to intimidate and silence him.
https://www.pen-international.org/news/serbia-stop-the-harassment-of-writer-and-academic-jovo-bakic
August 1, 2023
General Secretariat of the
President of the Republic of Serbia
(Contact the President)
Andrićev venac 1, 11000 Beograd, Serbia
+381 11 311-1473
e-mail: predstavkegradjana@predsednik.rs
Dear President Vučić:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We write to you concerning the campaign of intimidation and harassment of University of Belgrade associate Professor Jovo Bakić. Bakić, a scholar of Yugoslavian sociology, gave an interview to Belgrade magazine NIN in which he criticized government corruption. His words were taken out of context and twisted by tabloids. They have been falsely interpreted as his desire to see blood and mayhem in the streets of Belgrade.
Of particular concern is the echoing of tabloid distortions by political officials. For example, the deputy of the Serbian Progressive Party, Marko Atlagić, publicly berated Bakić, lending credibility to false accusations that appeared in the press. Atlagić made such statements in the context of a verbal attack on several academics critical of the government.
We ask you to put a stop to false accusations by government officials smearing Bakić’s reputation and endangering his wellbeing. In democratic countries, those in power are expected to show tolerance and refrain from slander and intimidation of citizens who express views critical of the government.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
CC:
H.E. Mr. Marko Djuric
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia
1333 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Embassy (phone): (202) 507-8654
Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520 USA
Phone: (202) 647-4000
Twitter: @ABlinken