26. 12. 2012

PARLIAMENT MEMBERS ERADICATED DEFAMATION

Belgrade, December 26, 2012 (Danas) - Members of the Serbian Parliament adopted yesterday the amendments to the Criminal Code abolishing criminal offense defamation and reckless business conduct, but introducing new criminal offense abuse in public procurement procedures. 139 MPs voted in favor of amendments, 15 against, with 21 abstaining.

Criminal offense reckless business conduct has been replaced with the criminal offense abuse of office of responsible person, as a result of the need to make a distinction between a responsible person and an official, which has not been the case. The enforsement of these provisions pertaining to new criminal offense abuse of office of responsible person and criminal offense abuse of office has been pushed to April 15, on the request of the judiciary.

The amendment decriminalizing defamation and insult has also been adopted, which was the request of journalists' and media associations and expert public.