Apart from a personal feeling of being faced with difficulties in their daily lives, 44 percent of those surveyed
reported having had problems when applying for documents with Government authorities. This view was
the most likely to be reported in Belgrade (at 65 percent). In their contacts with institutions, 58 percent of RAE
individuals (living in informal settlements and lacking at least one document) were ignored; 57 percent did
not receive the information or service they sought (were refused); 45 percent were humiliated; 43 percent
were insulted; and 4 percent were asked for bribes.
The RAE population had most problems with regard to healthcare institutions (as reported by 28 percent),
more than double the figure found in 2015 (when it had stood at 12 percent). This result was certainly affected
by the Covid-19 pandemic, but the proportion is also exceptionally high for contacts with social workers,
reported as causing issues for 27 percent of those surveyed who had applied with them for documents.
These two categories are followed by the police (21 percent), local authorities (18 percent), and civil registrars
(5 percent), with local courts cited in only 1 percent of all cases.
Figure 4.5.3. Serbian institutions where RAE individuals lacking at least one document faced problems,
comparison of 2010, 2015, and 2020 findings (%)
36
35
28
12
Health care
institution
27
16
25
14
Social
workers
21
10 11
Police
2010
18
16 15
5
Municipal
administration
2015
Registrar
4 2
1
Local court
2020
Finally, 63 percent of those surveyed reported not having been denied humanitarian aid during the Covid-19
pandemic even though they lacked personal identity documents.
4.6 Free legal aid available to persons at risk of statelessness
The Law on Free Legal Aid was enacted in 2018 and took effect on 1 October 2019. This piece of legislation
draws on the constitutional guarantee of universal access to legal aid (Article 67) that can be provided by
independent attorneys and legal aid services, pursuant to specific legislation. The Constitution also provides
for cases in which legal aid is free of charge, which the law elaborates on by setting out requirements for
and types of free legal aid, such as legal advice, help in preparing pleadings, representation, and defence.
It also allows civic associations to provide free legal aid, albeit only in asylum and discrimination cases.
The latest version of the free legal aid provider roster maintained by the Ministry of Justice included attorneys,
166 local authorities, and 20 associations; also registered were 44 dispute resolution mediators and 26
PERSONS AT RISK OF STATELESSNESS IN SERBIA
OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SITUATION AND THE WAY FORWARD
37