Margaret Satterwhite, Irene Kahn and Mary Lawlors warned that such attacks could have a chilling effect on lawyers, human rights defenders and civil society as a whole.
The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteurs sent an official letter to the Government in which, as announced by the Human Rights Action (HRA), they expressed serious concern about the Democrats’ media attacks on lawyer Veselin Radulovi? and HRA Executive Director Tea Gorjanc Prelevi?.
The letter signed on September 17 by Special Rapporteurs on the Independence of Judges Margaret Satterwhite, Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression Irene Kahn, and Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor states that there is credible information about threats, public attacks, and attempts to discredit Radulovi? and Gorjanc Prelevi? in the context of the police vetting process.
As stated by HRA, the reporters warned that the attacks on Radulovi? occurred after he criticized the legal framework for vetting in the police and announced criminal charges against high-ranking officials.
The NGO stated that UN rapporteurs warned that the attacks on Gorjanc Prelevi? followed her public call for the protection of lawyers from political pressure and respect for guarantees of fairness in the conduct of vetting.
“While we do not wish to prejudge the accuracy of these allegations, we express serious concern about the statements made by senior state officials against Radulovi?, for the performance of his duties as a lawyer, and against Ms. Gorjanc, for her advocacy of the work of lawyers and the guarantees of a fair trial,” the UN rapporteurs said.
“We are concerned that these threats and intimidation appear to have occurred in direct connection with the legitimate exercise of Mr. Radulovi?’s professional functions as a lawyer and Ms. Gorjanc’s work as a human rights defender, including the exercise of their right to freedom of expression,” the letter emphasized.
UN special rapporteurs have also warned that such attacks can have a chilling effect on lawyers, human rights defenders and civil society as a whole.
