Legal Protection of Environmental Human Rights Defenders
The conclusions of the First European Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders were presented on 3 July 2026 in the “Među nama” television programme.
Environmental human rights defenders are individuals and groups who work to protect the right to a healthy environment and the public interest. Prof. Dr Mirjana Drenovak-Ivanović and attorney Nina Nicović discussed the importance of their work, as well as the pressure, threats, intimidation, criminalisation of activism and other difficulties they face.
Particular attention was given to the position of environmental defenders in Serbia, the availability and effectiveness of existing legal mechanisms, the response of competent institutions and corporate accountability. It was emphasised that their protection is not only an environmental issue but also a matter of human rights, democracy, transparency, public participation and the rule of law.
The media appearance communicated the conclusions of the European Forum to a wider audience and connected international standards with experience from Serbia. It explained that effective protection of environmental defenders requires accessible legal remedies, a timely institutional response to threats and pressure, and safeguards against the misuse of judicial proceedings, including strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs).
