National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia / Activities / Activity details
Wednesday, 12 March 2003
12th session of the Committee on Defence and Security held
No more violence at sports eventsOpening the twelfth session of the Committee on Defence and Security, at which was presented the Bill on Preventing Violence and Improper Behaviour at Sports Events, the chairman of the Committee, Dragan Sutanovac, stressed that the aim of the session was to acquaint sports clubs and other interested parties with the Bill, in order for them to be able to submit their proposals for modifications and emendations to the Bill in good time.
No more violence at sports events
Opening the twelfth session of the Committee on Defence and Security, at which was presented the Bill on Preventing Violence and Improper Behaviour at Sports Events, the chairman of the Committee, Dragan Sutanovac, stressed that the aim of the session was to acquaint sports clubs and other interested parties with the Bill, in order for them to be able to submit their proposals for modifications and emendations to the Bill in good time. The Bill had been forwarded to all relevant organisations and institutions in November 2002, and they, as experts in the field, had been asked for their opinions regarding the Bill.
The head of the Public Security Service, Sreten Lukic, presented statistics showing that 3.040 offences had been committed, causing injury to 449 people, at sports events over the past several years. The Bill sets out, among other things, the duties of the event organiser, as well as obligations of spectators and technical means required by venues to prevent rioting. General Lukic stressed that a new criminal offence was to be created, namely, violent behaviour at a sports event - a further development of Article 230 of the Penal Code of the Republic of Serbia.
The session was also attended by representatives of the Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro and the Football Association of Serbia, as well as representatives of several football and basketball clubs.
After the chairman of the Committee informed those present of the assassination of the Serbian Prime Minister, Dr Zoran Djindjic, the session was adjourned and it was decided to continue the discussion at a later date.
From 27 March to 3 April, the chairman of the Committee asked all guests present at the session of the Committee to forward all suggestions regarding the Bill in writing to the Committee. Proposed modifications and comments were received from the Football Association of Serbia and Montenegro, the Basketball Association of Serbia and Montenegro, Partizan Football Club and Partizan Basketball Club.