Rule of Law

Same-sex Partnerships in the Region

With this series of analytical articles, the Heinrich Böll Foundation wishes to tackle the process of adopting laws on same-sex partnerships in the region and its timeline, as well as the experiences noticed by civil society organizations that shared their observations for this dossier.

Review of the Law on Energy Efficiency and Rational use of Energy

Considering that the system of EU energy regulations is a process of harmonization and balance between scientific, technological and social development related to energy consumption and the fight against climate change, in the Republic of Serbia, the need arose over time to adopt, in accordance with the "Clean Energy for All Europeans" package, a new law that will regulate the field of energy efficiency - the Law on Energy Efficiency and Rational Use of Energy

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Same-sex partnerships in Montenegro - love outside the system

Today’s Montenegro, has slowly started to understand and accept diversity, outside of what is traditionally seen as a “minority” - religious, national, ethnic, etc. Thus, talk about LGBT people began picking up pace slowly and quietly as early as 2002, at first within institutions of the system, under the influence of reform processes and the international community.

By John Maximillian Barac

Review of the Law on Amendments to the Law on Energy

The Law on Energy has not been significantly changed to date. The enactment of the Law on Amendments to the Law on Energy, which entered into force on 30 April 2021, further regulated energy subsectors such as electricity, renewable energy sources, natural gas, oil and oil derivatives and thermal energy.

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An Uncertain Step Toward Marriage Equality

At the beginning of the 2010s, the queer movement in Serbia started its race for marriage equality. The deadline set by the state for this was the last quarter of 2017. However, not only was the Draft of the Law on Same-Sex Partnerships not compiled until this year, but not a single activity has been initiated by the competent authorities which would have resulted in awareness-raising among the general public on the necessity of regulating this issue.

By Miloš Kovačević

Review of the Law on amendments to the Law on Mining and geological Exploration

After five years of applying the Law on Mining and Geological Explorations, the time has come to amend it in order to enable a more efficient achievement of its goals. Although it does not bring significant innovations in the Serbian energy legislation, its importance lies in the fact that it elaborates and complements the existing legal framework while at the same time further harmonizing it with the relevant EU legislation.

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Biometrics in Belgrade: Serbia’s path shows broader dangers of surveillance state

E-paper

On the EU’s periphery, Serbia has deployed enough biometric surveillance technology from China’s Huawei for law enforcement and “Safe City” solutions to cover practically all of Belgrade’s public spaces. Public pressure has raised the bar for turning on the technology, but the alarming project illustrates the need for transparent regulation of such systems everywhere, to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights.

Review of the Law on Climate Change

After several years of drafting, the Law on Climate Change has finally seen the light of day. The following is a review of the newly adopted Law, compiled by UPES.

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