Belgrade Residents Tell Rights Court of Bar Noise ‘Torture’

 

In Serbia's capital, people are going out again after over a year of restrictions¹ aimed at stopping the spread of the new coronavirus.

However, the loud music and other noise that comes with it is becoming a problem for people living in Belgrade.

Coffee shops, bars, and people who want to have fun are celebrating a summer increase in business and activities.

Nemanja Dragic is a 36-year-old engineer living in the city. He said he cannot open his door without very loud noise entering his apartment since restrictions eased. He used his savings² to add additions to the apartment to make it quieter.

Dragic's apartment overlooks a street in downtown Belgrade that is a popular place for activities and nightlife. He said the partying makes it impossible to keep his windows open during much of the summer.

"The noise is such that some neighbors just leave the city or the street or everything," said Dragic.

People who live in the city's business areas have complained for years about the noise that comes from bars and other nightlife places. Some citizen' associations have turned to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France, because of the inaction of officials. They brought a case arguing that they have been faced with torture and their rights to family life and privacy have been violated.

Lawyer Marina Mijatovic said she took the issue to court in Strasbourg after Serbian officials ignored a local court ruling that said they did not do enough to limit the noise. She said the European court has yet to decide if it will accept the case.

She said, "We expect the (European) court to confirm the violation³ of rights and instruct Serbia to take measures to reduce the noise to the levels acceptable for normal life."

City officials did not answer requests to speak with The Associated Press. After promises to address the complaints, Belgrade officials have prepared new noise protection rules that would give more power to a community policing division.

Misa Relic⁴ heads the Association of Night Bars and Clubs. He said he knows about the dispute with those who live in some Belgrade neighborhoods. But he warned against quick actions after the pandemic that could hurt what he described as Belgrade's tourist experience.

Relic said, "I am always for an agreement between two sides who understand each other's position and are ready for a fair compromise."

The problem is not new. With covid restrictions easing, nightlife, parties and music events have increased in Belgrade in late June and early July. Partying crowds have raised concerns over possible virus outbreaks as few events request proof of vaccination⁵ or negative tests.

Ana Davico works for the Belgrade Noise Abatement⁶ Society. She said the local government should follow the example of other major European cities by provided financial support for sound blocking equipment in night clubs.

Davico said noise limits are not enforced and in the 10 years since her group has formed, the situation in Belgrade and Serbia has gotten worse.

Davico said citizens' groups have collected thousands of complaints sent to police, videos, and noise level recordings⁷ to support their European court case. The noise is much higher than the legally permitted limits. And only rarely do bars and clubs use sound blocking equipment although it is required by law.

Dragic said the noise problem on his street has hurt home and land prices, making it hard for people to sell if they want to leave the area. He said although bars in central residential⁸ areas are supposed to stay open until midnight, the noise they produce before closing time is insupportable.

"What other people take for granted, that they can rest or sleep whenever they want," he said, depends on the bars and people who go to those places. He said he does want to be the one who controls what they play or how long they stay open. He just does not want to hear noise in his apartment.

Words in This Story

bar –n. a building or room where alcoholic⁹ drinks

apartment –n. a usually rented room or set of rooms that is part of a building and is used as a place to live

complain –v. to say or write that you are unhappy, sick, uncomfortable, angry or that you do not like something

instruct –v. to give (someone) an order or command

club –n. a business that provides entertainment (such as music, dancing, or a show) and that usually serves food and alcohol

tourist –n. a person who travels to a place for pleasure

residential –adj. containing mostly homes instead of stores, businesses, or factories

take for granted – v. phrase to fail to properly notice or appreciate (someone or something that is helpful or important to you)

rest –n. a period of time in which you relax, sleep, or do nothing after you have been active or doing work

1 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

2 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

3 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

4 relic   

n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物

参考例句：

• This stone axe is a relic of ancient times.这石斧是古代的遗物。
• He found himself thinking of the man as a relic from the past.他把这个男人看成是过去时代的人物。

5 vaccination   

n.接种疫苗，种痘

参考例句：

• Vaccination is a preventive against smallpox.种痘是预防天花的方法。
• Doctors suggest getting a tetanus vaccination every ten years.医生建议每十年注射一次破伤风疫苗。

6 abatement   

n.减(免)税，打折扣，冲销

参考例句：

• A bag filter for dust abatement at the discharge point should be provided.在卸料地点应该装设袋滤器以消除粉尘。
• The abatement of the headache gave him a moment of rest.头痛减轻给他片刻的休息。

7 recordings   

n.记录( recording的名词复数 )；录音；录像；唱片

参考例句：

• a boxed set of original recordings 一套盒装原声录音带
• old jazz recordings reissued on CD 以激光唱片重新发行的老爵士乐

8 residential   

adj.提供住宿的；居住的；住宅的

参考例句：

• The mayor inspected the residential section of the city.市长视察了该市的住宅区。
• The residential blocks were integrated with the rest of the college.住宿区与学院其他部分结合在了一起。

9 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。