CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF PUBLIC AUTHORITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Abstract

After introductory remarks on the reasons and importance of the responsibility of public authorities for environmental protection, the paper discusses the constitutional frameworks regarding stated responsibilities in the Republic of Serbia. Pointing to the fact that the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia proclaims the right of everyone to the so- "Healthy environment", the conclusion is drawn that this is a general human and constitutional right, which is why it is applied directly. Contrary to this general law, the constitution stipulates the general responsibility of all of the society regarding the protection of the environment. Apart from general responsibility, there is also a special stipulation in the Constitution regarding the special responsibility of the Republic and the autonomous province for the protection of the environment, which forms the central part of the analysis in the work. The responsibility of the Republic is of a systemic character and implies not only drafting, but also improving the environment at the level of sustainable development. The responsibility of the autonomous province is not of a systemic nature and is moving not only within the framework of constitutional but also legal norms, but it is similar to the responsibility of the Republic by the nature of its characteristics. At the end of the paper it is concluded that the local self-government units have special responsibility, both due to the constitutional norms of their competencies and the irreplaceable role that the legislator gives them in the protection of the environment, despite the fact that this is not explicitly specified in the Constitution.