The Guardian of Human Rights and Freedoms, Siniša Bjeković, visited the Remand Prison in Spuž at the request of detainees on hunger strike. During the visit, he met with Darko Vukčević, the Director of the Administration for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions (UIKS), and Assistant Director Nebojša Janković.

Bjeković’s aim was to understand the detainees’ demands and assess the capacity of the Protector institution to address the current challenges effectively.

“The institution of the Protector is consistently kept informed about conditions in UIKS, and relevant recommendations are proposed, both preventively and reactively,” the announcement stated.

The discussions highlighted an ongoing concern regarding the inadequate state of the prison facilities, especially overcrowding, which was noted as a “negative trend potentially leading to more significant issues in the prison system’s operation.” The participants acknowledged the Administration’s efforts to meet detainee needs and expressed a constructive perspective regarding their current relations.

“Detainees identified the prolonged duration of detention and the leniency in determining or extending detention as the primary concerns, along with the lack of alternative measures for attending court proceedings. Many individuals have been detained for extended periods without a final verdict. Furthermore, the excessive length of time between the indictment and the first-instance judgment jeopardizes their rights, such as outdoor access and limited walking provisions, family visit privacy issues, and difficulties in communicating with legal representatives due to long wait times for confidential discussions. Hygiene conditions were also cited as problematic, particularly due to insufficient cleaning supplies stemming from slow procurement processes and overcrowded quarters,” the statement elaborated.

The Ombudsman underscored that while the institution of the Protector cannot intervene in court proceedings directly, it is equipped to address cases of unjust delays and excessively lengthy court processes.

“There was a mutual agreement that a systematic approach is required to tackle these challenges effectively, ensuring that judicial institutions can perform their functions without infringing on the rights of the accused while facilitating the timely resolution of cases. The Protector institution will compile a concise report on these discussions to encourage dialogue with relevant authorities and promote actions that improve conditions and prevent further overcrowding, which could lead to new issues related to security, health, sanitation, and spatial limitations,” the statement concluded.

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