NGOs Condemn Detention of Journalists

Gradjanske Inicijative

Thirty NGOs from Serbia condemned the detention of Dinko Gruhonjić, the head of BETA News Agency`s Correspondent Office in Novi Sad, during the action of the local branch of Otpor Movement on April 11, 2008.

- The arrest and detention of Gruhonjić, who is president of the Independent Association of Journalists of Vojvodina and prominent fighter for media freedom are clear sign that the authorities are nervous and decided to rely on the power of the state`s oppression and human rights violations, say the organizations.

Since March 2007, Gruhonjić has been victim of serious threats published on the international neo-nazi website `Storm Front` and other clero-fascist organizations. Therefore, the question is how he transformed, in the eyes of Serbian authorities, from a victim into a problem.

- Instead of offering their protection, the authorities use administrative measures to prevent him from pursuing his duties as journalist and violate his basic human, civic and professional rights, comment the NGOs in a public statement.