Serbian judicial associations urge professionalism amid calls for resignations

The Association of Judges and Prosecutors of Serbia (UST) has issued a call for all judicial and prosecutorial staff to maintain professionalism and dignity. The association warned against "ill-considered moves" and "overnight coups" following calls from an informal group named "Odbrana struke" (Defend the Profession).

The informal group has demanded the resignation of judges, prosecutors, and heads of judicial institutions who have remained neutral and have not publicly declared political affiliations, labeling them as part of an "opposition camp." The UST cautioned that such demands echo the 2009 judicial reforms, which resulted in the dismissal of hundreds of officials, and warned that these actions could sow "vengeful fear" among colleagues.

In a separate statement, Dejan Šoškić of the Studentska lista called on employees in the prosecution, police, judiciary, and media to adhere to professional ethics and constitutional legality. He suggested that officials should self-correct any past actions that deviated from professional practice to preserve their future career prospects.