Report by the Head of OSCE Mission to Serbia: UK statement, July 2026

Report by the Head of OSCE Mission to Serbia: UK statement, July 2026
Ambassador Holland commends the OSCE Mission to Serbia for its sustained work and continued focus on democratic governance, rule of law, media freedom, security sector reform and minority rights.
Thank you, Mr Chair.
I welcome Ambassador Peško to the Permanent Council and thank him for his comprehensive report. We commend the OSCE Mission to Serbia for its sustained work and continued focus on democratic governance, rule of law, media freedom, security sector reform and minority rights.
The report illustrates both the value of the Mission’s work and the challenging operating context. The UK remains concerned by the deepening political polarisation and tensions that have accompanied the ongoing protest movement. It is important to protect freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and the independence of democratic institutions, including the judiciary.
We are particularly concerned by the deterioration in media freedom, and the rise in the number of attacks against journalists described in the report. We welcome the Mission’s efforts to keep the Permanent Working Group on the Safety of Journalists functioning and its support for practical mechanisms that protect media professionals. Independent media and the safety of journalists are essential safeguards of democratic accountability. We encourage the Serbian government to facilitate the better operation of institutions dealing with attacks on journalists.
The United Kingdom welcomes progress towards re-establishing the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media, and is grateful to the Representative on Freedom of the Media for his active engagement on this issue. A credible, independent and effective regulator is vital for public confidence, media pluralism and the implementation of electoral reforms. The Council should be allowed to carry out its mandate and resolve outstanding issues without interference.
On elections and democratic governance, we note the Mission’s support for reforms to electoral legislation and the Unified Voters’ Register. These are important steps. However, as ODIHR have underlined, significant recommendations remain outstanding. Comprehensive electoral reform, implemented well in advance of future elections and in consultation with opposition parties and civil society, remains essential.
We thank the Mission for its valuable work to improve the rights of minority communities and increase their representation in public institutions. These programmes help build trust between communities and strengthen Serbia’s long-term resilience. We also commend the Mission’s work on community policing, youth engagement and women’s participation in security institutions.
We reiterate our call for Serbia and Kosovo to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated Dialogue and to implement their existing commitments. We also urge public officials to refrain from provocative, revisionist or harmful language in public statements, which risks deepening divisions and undermining reconciliation. We continue to call for full accountability for the 2023 Banjska attack.
Finally, we thank Ambassador Peško and his team for their professionalism and dedication. The Mission remains an important partner and a valuable contributor to security and stability across the region.
Thank you, Mr Chair.