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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Government continues implementing measures to combat violence

Belgrade, 18 May 2023

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic presented today in the Serbian parliament the Report on the security situation in the Republic of Serbia in the aftermath of the mass murders in the "Vladislav Ribnikar" elementary school in Belgrade and in the area of Smederevo and Mladenovac - in Malo Orasje and in Dubona.

At the beginning of her address, at the third session of the First regular sitting of the parliament, Brnabic expressed her condolences to the families of the victims of the two mass murders that took place in May.

She stated that there are 327 educational institutions in the Belgrade area, including 199 elementary schools, 103 secondary schools and 25 schools for primary and secondary education.

Prior to 3 May, 140 school police officers were engaged on improving the security situation in schools, covering 205 schools, of which 140 elementary and 65 secondary schools which were assessed as being more vulnerable in terms of security, while the rest were covered through regular service, the Prime Minister stated.

Brnabic pointed out that, after the tragic event in the "Vladislav Ribnikar" elementary school, on the same day, the police administrations were ordered to contact the principals of all schools, to analyse the security situation, as well as to intensify police work near the schools, while after the mass murder in the vicinity of Mladenovac and Smederevo, an urgent, visibly increased presence of the police in public places was ordered.

A total of 12,368 police officers are engaged in 1,832 schools, both state and private, the Prime Minister said and emphasised that police officers are obliged to be in schools during classes, the arrival and departure of students, as well as to focus on early recognition of possible risks and threats.

According to her, 25 shooting ranges have been checked, and 26,339 weapons handed over so far.

Brnabic said that the government continues implementing measures to combat violence, and that the most important measure is the disarmament of Serbia.

She confirmed that the electronic system for reporting violence against children will start operating tomorrow on the platform “I Protect You”.

According to her, in accordance with the government's work programme to 2026 and the priority of improving the safety of children, young people and educational workers in educational institutions, activities were undertaken to launch an electronic violence reporting system for citizens, competent authorities and institutions within the national platform for the prevention of violence involving children.

It is the platform “I Protect You”. In addition to videos, with lectures on various topics related to safety and peer violence, the system for reporting violence has been created on the platform, to be used by citizens, competent authorities and institutions, the Prime Minister explained.

Brnabic added that in one place, through the Triage Team established within the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications, all competent authorities will monitor every report of violence against a child and the course of its resolution.

According to her, the status of the report will be available at any time, and citizens will also be able to submit reports to the Triage Team, monitor their progress and outcome.

She pointed out that the police focused their activities on preventive action, noting that police departments throughout Serbia have the obligation to check at the beginning of each year the state of security of students and schools in the previous school year, and to make an analysis of the cooperation achieved with all educational institutions.

According to her, since 2018, 327 police officers have been trained to work as school police officers, while during the 2022/23 school year 3,385 lectures, forums, workshops, student visits to the police and socialising of students with the police were organised.

The safety of children, students and schools is one of the priorities in the work of the police. The police continuously monitor the situation and, in accordance with the assessments, direct their activities related to preventive action and educational campaigns, Brnabic pointed out.