23
Feb 2018
Lvl. 2
Resolved
Alert created on: 19 Feb 2018
Serbia
Journalist Philippe Bertinchamps Threatened with Expulsion in Serbia
Source of threatState
CategoryHarassment and intimidation of journalists
In February 2018, Philippe Bertinchamps, a Belgrade-based Belgian journalist working for various French-speaking media outlets is threatened with expulsion after the Serbian interior minister (MUP) rejected his second request for a temporary residence permit. If deported, the journalist will be separated from his family living in Serbia. The authorities are accusing him of being an "obstacle to public order and national security". Mr. Bertinchamp's application for a temporary residence permit on preservation of familiy unity grounds was rejected by the MUP in April 2017 and again on 8 January 2018 with no explanation. A Serbian administrative court ruled in his favour in November 2017, agreeing the authorities needed to provide grounds for their rejection of his appeal. Mr. Bertinchamps has been covering Serbia and Western Balkans for the last ten years without ever coming into conflict with the law.
Resolved
23 Feb 2018:
In light of the developments of 19 February 2018, which allowed the journalist to remain in the country, the partner organisations to the Platform declared this case to be ”resolved”, concluding it was no longer an active threat to media freedom.
Updates
19 Feb 2018
On 19 February 2018, Philippe Bertinchamps was delivered a residence visa for a year.
Additional Information
- N1 report : "Belgijski novinar, nakon pisanja medija, dobio boravišnu"
- EFJ report : "Journalist Philippe Bertinchamps threatened with expulsion in Serbia"
- RSF statement :"Serbia threatens Belgrade-based Belgian reporter with expulsion"
- Alert published on Safejournalists.net : "Srbija belgijskom reporteru preti proterivanjem iz Beograda"
Follow-ups
23 Feb 2018
Commissioner for Human Rights: ‘Concerted efforts needed to protect media freedoms in Serbia’