In a situation of worsening epidemiological situation, when the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection is almost 8000 in the last 24 hours, and when more than 7000 people are hospitalized, it is not possible to conduct public hearings and enable public participation in the decision-making process.
We demand from the Government of the Republic of Serbia, line Ministries, the City of Belgrade and other local government units to suspend all public insight procedures for planning acts, as well as all procedures of environmental impact assessment until the state of emergency is lifted.
In emergency situations, when there is a justified risk of infection of participants in public consultations, it is necessary to ensure consistent compliance with the principle of public participation promoted by the Law on Planning and Construction and the Law on Environmental Protection. Proceedings conducted without public participation are illegal and are examples of direct violations of the guaranteed rights of the public to participate in the decision-making process.
After the epidemiological situation has calmed down and the emergency situation has been lifted, it is necessary to enable public consultations and public debates while implementing all epidemiological measures, ie in premises where it is possible to maintain a safe distance and apply all measures to prevent the spread of infection.
We are particularly appealing to the City of Belgrade authorities to suspend, without any delay, the procedures of public insight into the Draft Plan of Detailed Regulation for one part of the “Makiško polje“ and the “Kosančićev venac“ Spatial Unit, because there are no conditions for public hearings to be conducted in accordance with the Law.
Ignoring these demands would be an obvious violation of democratic principles and a direct exposure of citizens to the risks of coronavirus infection.
Associations and experts, signatories of this appeal, support similar initiatives of other associations, movements, and individuals, considering them fully justified.
In Belgrade on December 3, 2020
Belgrade Open School, Center for Cultural Decontamination, Right to Water Initiative, Ministry of Space, Let's Not D(r)own Belgrade, Polekol Organization for Political Ecology, Renewable Energy Regulatory Institute - RERI, WWF Adria
Photo source: canva.com