A Day of Mourning is declared after a particularly serious accident that results in the death, injury, or serious damage to the health of a large number of people, or in the case of the death of a high-ranking state official, in the case of the death of a person who had great merit for the country, as well as on the occasion of some tragic event.

The decision on the declaration and duration of the Day of Mourning is made by the Government of the Republic of Serbia. The day of mourning lasts as long as determined by the decision on the declaration and duration of the day of mourning, but it cannot last longer than three days.

Lowering the flag to half-staff

Authorities and organizations, as well as other legal entities that display the national flag, are obliged to lower the flag of the Republic of Serbia to half-staff  during the day of mourning, with appropriate lighting at night.

Posting a minute of silence

On the day of mourning, every employer is obliged to allow employees to observe a minute of silence at the same time, to pay respect to the victims of the accident that caused the day of mourning to be declared. In educational institutions, the day of mourning is marked by a minute of silence in the first lesson, and the program of music education is adapted to the day of mourning.

Media information and memory

Broadcasting organizations for informing the public on the territory of the Republic of Serbia are obliged to include in their programs, including broadcasts intended for foreign countries, on the day of the declaration of the day of mourning:

1) broadcast the decision on the declaration of the day of mourning and on the program of its observance, made by the competent authority of the Republic of Serbia or the body designated by it; 2) inform the public about memorial gatherings organized by the competent authorities of the Republic of Serbia or bodies designated by them on the occasion of the day of mourning; 3) instead of humorous, entertaining, folklore and other shows with fun and folk music, they broadcast music and shows suitable for the day of mourning; 4) coordinate a detailed program scheme during the day of mourning.

Newspaper-publishing organizations that publish daily newspapers are obliged to print their papers in black on the day of mourning, stating on the first page the decision on the declaration of the day of mourning and the announcement of its celebration.

Marking the day of mourning in cultural institutions

Museums, theaters, cinemas, organizations that have music and stage programs, archives and other institutions in the field of culture are obliged to adapt their programs to the day of mourning.

Marking the day of mourning at sports events

The day of mourning in sports halls, stadiums and playgrounds is marked by lowering the flag of the Republic of Serbia and the flags of sports clubs to half-mast or half-mast, and if it is a question of sports meetings of international importance, then also by lowering the flags of international sports organizations to half-staff.

It is forbidden to perform or broadcast folk and entertainment music, i.e. programs of an entertaining as well as holding entertainment programs in public places.

Supervision over the implementation of this Law is carried out by the Ministry of internal affairs, the Ministry of culture, the Republic Broadcasting Agency, the Ministry of public information and the Ministry of education.

Violation of legal provisions is sanctioned by fines.

Disclaimer:  This text is written for informational purposes only as well as to give general information and understanding of the law, not to provide specific legal advice. For any additional information feel free to contact us.

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