ASSESSMENT OF VIOLENT EXTREMISM IN SERBIA

The assessment is based on a thorough analysis of the broader context, including political, social, and economic factors, and identifies four different types of extremism: religiously-motivated extremism, ideologically-motivated extremism, ethnically-motivated extremism, and hooliganism. The regions identified as potential hotbeds for these four types of violent extremism are Southern Serbia, South-Western Serbia, and major cities such as Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš. Southern and South-Western Serbia are fertile ground for the growth of religiously-motivated extremism and ethnically-motivated extremism, while major urban centers are susceptible to right-wing extremism and hooliganism. The assessment found that none of these types of extremism is currently violent, but they have the potential to become so in the future, given the right contextual conditions. The right-wing extremism and hooliganism are predominantly conditioned by internal factors, while religiously-motivated extremism is promoted or constrained by external factors, and ethnically-motivated extremism depends on both internal and external developments. The assessment identified online means of communication as a key channel for both recruiting extremists and promoting radicalization. The Internet and social networks are being used more commonly for this purpose, making it easier and cheaper to organize extremist activities. The assessment also found that young people are the most vulnerable target group for all four types of extremism. Whether young Serbs, Bosniaks, Roma, or Albanians, young people of all major ethnic communities in Serbia have been revealed as the group most often influenced by extreme views and behavior. The major drivers of radicalization across all three regions share common traits and can be grouped into social and economic, political, and cultural factors. Social and economic factors, such as unemployment, are a dominant economic problem faced by all three regions, and are correlated with greater radicalization. Social and ethnic distance, marginalization, and discrimination are also key factors that contribute to the vulnerability of certain communities to extremist views. The assessment concludes that the drivers of radicalization are complex and multifaceted, and that a comprehensive approach is needed to address the root causes of violent extremism in Serbia. This approach should include addressing social and economic problems, promoting social cohesion and inclusion, and countering online radicalization. The assessment identifies several key recommendations for addressing violent extremism in Serbia, including: * Developing a comprehensive strategy to address social and economic problems, including unemployment and poverty * Promoting social cohesion and inclusion, particularly among marginalized communities * Countering online radicalization through education and awareness-raising campaigns * Strengthening institutions and promoting good governance * Encouraging community-led initiatives to prevent and counter violent extremism Overall, the assessment provides a thorough analysis of the root causes and drivers of violent extremism in Serbia, and identifies key recommendations for addressing this complex issue.