Key Research Findings and Policy Recommendations
ASTRA – Anti-Trafficking Action is launching a campaign for a fairer approach to addressing begging in Serbia, based on the findings of the research Why Begging Should (Not) Be an Offense. This analysis provides deeper insights into current legal provisions, and their consequences, and offers recommendations for policy improvements to ensure greater protection for the most vulnerable members of society.
What Did We Discover?
In Serbia, begging is treated as a misdemeanor under the Law on Public Order and Peace. This means that individuals who beg face fines they cannot afford to pay or even imprisonment for up to 30 days. Instead of providing support, this system further deepens poverty and marginalization.
The research highlights several contradictions in the current approach:
Punishment instead of protection – People who beg are not criminals; they are often victims of poverty, social exclusion, or human trafficking.
Unfair enforcement – Court practices show that many of those prosecuted are simply trying to survive, while organized exploitation networks often remain unpunished.
Unnecessary penalization – In many European countries, silent and non-intrusive begging is no longer criminalized. Serbia still follows an outdated approach that fails to address the root of the problem.
What Do We Propose?
To ensure a fairer and more effective system of protection, it is necessary to:
✔ Remove begging from the Law on Public Order and Peace or redefine it to cover only aggressive and exploitative forms of begging.
✔ Ensure that law enforcement and social protection institutions focus on victims of forced begging rather than penalizing individuals begging due to poverty.
✔ Develop support measures for individuals who beg, including access to social services, education, and employment opportunities.
Why is this Imortant?
Begging is not always a choice—it is often a result of poverty, social inequality, and a lack of support. Criminalizing this issue does not solve the problem; it only makes life harder for those already living on the margins of society.
With this campaign, we aim to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and influence better legal solutions. We invite citizens, experts, policymakers, and civil society organizations to get involved and support this initiative.
🔗 Read more about our research and recommendations here
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