Europe Condemns Serbia’s Crackdown on Peaceful Protests \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Europe’s human rights commissioner criticized Serbia’s harsh protest crackdown. Rights groups decried police violence against students and peaceful demonstrators. The EU and UN are monitoring the escalating unrest.
Quick Looks
- Council of Europe condemns excessive force in Serbian protests.
- Human rights groups urge restraint and full investigations.
- Riot police accused of beating and arresting students.
- President Aleksandar Vucic labels protests as “terror.”
- University-led protests escalate following earlier calm rallies.
- Protesters demand early elections and accountability for corruption.
- Police deny excessive force despite documented injuries.
- EU and UN closely watching the unfolding situation.
Deep Look
A wave of civil unrest continues to engulf Serbia as international concern mounts over the government’s heavy-handed response to peaceful protests. Sparked by public anger over perceived government negligence and deep-rooted corruption, the demonstrations have evolved into one of the most significant challenges to President Aleksandar Vucic’s rule in over a decade.
On Friday, the Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, Michael O’Flaherty, issued a pointed statement condemning the Serbian authorities for their use of excessive force and arbitrary arrests in efforts to dismantle the ongoing protests. O’Flaherty emphasized that the rights to freedom of expression and assembly are fundamental human rights enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, which Serbia, as a member of the Council of Europe, is obligated to uphold.
“I am concerned about the current human rights situation in Serbia, where, despite the assurances I received from the authorities during my visit in April, excessive use of force is being applied to curb demonstrations,” O’Flaherty said, highlighting a contradiction between the government’s promises and its actions on the ground.
The protests, led predominantly by university students and supported by civil society groups, escalated dramatically following a massive demonstration in Belgrade last weekend. Tens of thousands took to the streets in what began as a peaceful rally, only to be met with riot police wielding batons, shields, and a readiness to detain. Dozens of protesters were arrested, including students, professors, and ordinary citizens who had joined traffic blockades and sit-ins demanding systemic change.
Footage shared on social media and confirmed by local outlets shows riot police clashing with peaceful demonstrators in multiple areas of Belgrade, including around university campuses. Several people were hospitalized due to injuries sustained during police interventions, with reports of beatings and excessive force. Among the injured was a student with a broken clavicle, allegedly struck with a police baton during a late-night scuffle.
In response to the growing backlash, global human rights organizations have joined the chorus of condemnation. Amnesty International and Civil Rights Defenders released a joint statement, calling the scenes “alarming” and urging Serbian authorities to launch thorough investigations into alleged misconduct. “A heavy-handed response to peaceful dissent cannot be justified,” the groups wrote, pointing to the importance of respecting democratic freedoms in any functioning society.
Despite these appeals, Serbian officials continue to deny any wrongdoing. Law enforcement authorities insist that the police have acted within the law, arguing that the demonstrators were unlawfully obstructing traffic and violating public order regulations. The government has offered little to no evidence to support its claims of provocation or violent behavior from the protestors.
President Aleksandar Vucic has doubled down on his combative rhetoric, describing the demonstrations as “terror” and portraying the movement as a coordinated attempt to destabilize the state. In televised appearances, Vucic accused protesters of attempting to “overthrow the government,” positioning himself as a victim of foreign and domestic plots.
Critics say this language is not only inflammatory but dangerous. O’Flaherty warned that “mischaracterization of this largely peaceful student-led movement should be avoided at all costs.” He expressed specific concern over reports that children were arrested and that multiple students had been charged with criminal offenses following the protests.
This latest wave of unrest has deep roots in Serbia’s troubled political landscape. The catalyst was a deadly accident in November 2023, when a renovated canopy at a northern Serbian train station collapsed, killing 16 people. Public outrage erupted after initial investigations suggested the disaster may have been caused by shoddy construction linked to corruption and negligence within government-led infrastructure projects.
What began as mourning and frustration quickly evolved into a national protest movement. Students, educators, and everyday citizens demanded accountability, transparency, and the resignation of key officials. The government’s dismissive handling of the tragedy only fanned the flames, reinforcing perceptions that state institutions are unaccountable and mired in corruption.
Observers have noted that this is not the first time Vucic has faced accusations of authoritarianism. Since coming to power in 2012, critics argue he has steadily eroded democratic norms, restricted press freedom, and tightened control over public institutions. Though Serbia remains a candidate for European Union membership, its democratic backsliding and close ties with Russia and China have raised alarm in Brussels and among human rights watchdogs.
The European Union mission in Serbia and the United Nations Human Rights Office have issued statements acknowledging the escalating situation and urging restraint from both protesters and the authorities. The EU, in particular, has emphasized that democratic freedoms, including the right to protest, are non-negotiable principles for any country aspiring to join the bloc.
The student-led movement, now sustained for several months, has emerged as a rare and powerful force of civic activism in Serbia. Their demands are clear: an end to political corruption, justice for the victims of state negligence, free and fair elections, and respect for democratic rights. Protesters have vowed to continue their efforts until these demands are addressed, despite the growing pressure and police intimidation.
On Friday morning, police once again moved to clear blockades in Belgrade. But by evening, the streets were filled again with defiant demonstrators chanting slogans, waving signs, and peacefully resisting. University students said the movement is about more than just politics—it’s about reclaiming dignity and a voice in a system that many feel has marginalized them for too long.
As Serbia navigates this period of political turbulence, the coming weeks will be critical. If the government escalates its response, the situation could spiral into deeper unrest, potentially damaging Serbia’s EU ambitions and international reputation. Conversely, a willingness to engage with protest leaders and address underlying grievances could mark a turning point toward greater democratic openness.
Europe Condemns Serbia’s Europe Condemns Serbia’s Europe Condemns Serbia’s
