BIRN called on Vladimir Putin to release journalists

BELGRADE, (Patria) - During Vladimir Putin's visit to Belgrade, journalists from the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) took the opportunity to appeal to the Russian president to release detained journalists in Russia and respect human rights.

BIRN journalists in Serbia held up banners on Thursday, calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Belgrade, to release detained journalists in Russia and respect human rights.

"Release the journalists," read the banner they held from the window of BIRN's office, with the same message written in Serbian, Russian, and English on leaflets thrown from the office near where Putin's supporters in Serbia gathered for a rally of support.

The BIRN office also displayed an LGBT flag, calling on Putin to respect human rights and the rights of LGBT people in his country.

Pro-Russian oriented NGOs, with the support of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, organized a gathering in support of the Russian president, who met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in Belgrade.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 58 journalists have been killed in Russia since 1992. The Committee also stated that they are aware of four journalists currently being held in detention in Russia.

Human rights groups have criticized Russia for its treatment of the LGBT population, which consistently faces pressure, intimidation, and violence.

In its latest report, the human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) states that the law against so-called gay propaganda has had a negative impact on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, as well as young people.

"The 2013 law has exacerbated the hostility that LGBT people in Russia have long faced, and has also suppressed access to LGBT-inclusive education and support services, with harmful consequences for children," HRW said in December.

The Russian president is meeting with his Serbian counterpart to sign several agreements and memorandums. Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, is also in Belgrade for Putin's visit. His visit was not officially announced on the Presidency's website.