International criminal law

Serbian war crimes prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic denied allegations that Belgrade was not prosecuting high-ranking war crimes suspects, arguing that it was the Hague Tribunal’s job.

The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece on Tuesday issued a statement expressing support for a controversial anti-racism bill, foreseeing stiffer penalties for individuals and political parties which engage in racism or incite racist violence, which is to be debated in Parliament next week.

New legislation that provides stiffer penalties for individuals and political parties who engage in racism or incite racist violence is to be discussed in Parliament on August 26, following months of delays, it was announced on Tuesday.

The Italian navy said Aug. 11 it had rescued more than 2,000 migrants over the weekend from boats in the Mediterranean, bringing the number it has brought ashore this year to nearly 100,000.

“A class of human beings that has formed an integral part of Muslim society up to the present day is that of the slaves. [the Prophet] Muhammad took over the slavery system, upon which ancient society was based, seemingly without question and regarding it as part of the natural order of the universe.

BELGRADE - The Museum of Genocide Victims in Belgrade prepared an exhibition titled “First Day of Great War” as part of the marking of 100 years since the beginning of World War I.

There was an outcry on Wednesday after the owner of a strawberry farm in the Peloponnese, where 28 migrant workers were shot last year, was cleared of any wrongdoing along with one of his foremen. A court in Patra convicted two other foremen of aggravated assault and illegal use of firearms.

Human trafficking victims double this year

BELGRADE -- The number of registered victims of human trafficking has nearly doubled compared on last year, Sanja Kljajević has said.

EU and the Balkans co-operate against human trafficking

Germany and France have agreed to establish joint expert working groups with Albania and Serbia.

The EU is engaging Balkan countries to slow the tide of human trafficking from the Middle East, Africa and Asia by providing additional support for refugees who legally arrive in Union states.

BELGRADE - Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic and his Romanian counterpart Gabriel Oprea agreed in Belgrade on Thursday that the Jasa Tomic border crossing should be granted the status of an international transport crossing and that two more crossings on the border with Romania should be granted the same status in the time to come.