Serbia announces criminal justice reforms at UN Congress

criminal justice reform asset seizure organized crime UNODC Congress legislative amendments

Serbian Minister of Justice Nenad Vujić presented a series of judicial reforms at the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi. The proposed legislative changes aim to modernize the country's justice system and align it with international standards set by the UN, the Council of Europe, and the FATF.

Key components of the reform include amendments to the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, and the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence. Additionally, a new law regarding juvenile offenders is being introduced. The reforms focus on accelerating legal proceedings, enhancing victim protection, and strengthening procedural rights, such as access to documents and the right to translation.

A central pillar of the initiative is the focus on financial investigations and the seizure of assets obtained through criminal activity. Vujić emphasized that the temporary and permanent seizure of illegal property is a vital tool in combating corruption, organized crime, and terrorism financing, stating that ‘crime must not pay’. The reforms are being developed in dialogue with the European Commission as part of Serbia's EU accession process.