International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Civil Rights Defenders, have issued a joint statement calling on Serbian authorities to end the unlawful use of force against protesting students and to investigate all reports of police violence. This comes amid ongoing street blockades in Belgrade, protests sparked by a series of arrests of anti-government demonstrators, and demands for early elections.
Alarming Reports of Police Brutality
The two non-governmental organizations responded to claims from activists in Serbia that police are using excessive force to suppress blockades organized by citizens since June 29.
“Footage of Serbian riot police indiscriminately targeting peaceful demonstrators gathered at street blockades and in front of faculties in Belgrade is alarming. There have been widespread arrests and allegations of excessive or otherwise unlawful use of force against student demonstrators – during protests, arrests, and in police detention. Authorities must urgently investigate and explain reports of masked individuals in plainclothes targeting demonstrators,” stated Amnesty and Civil Rights Defenders in their joint communiqué.
They assert that the harsh response from security forces to peaceful dissent cannot be justified. “While the state has a responsibility to ensure public order and respond to individual violent incidents, any use of force must be a last resort and strictly necessary and proportionate to achieving a legitimate goal,” the organizations added.
Call for Restraint and Accountability
Amnesty and Civil Rights Defenders urged Serbian authorities to “show restraint and ensure that people can safely participate in demonstrations and express their dissent without intimidation, harassment, or violence.” They warned that “failure to do so risks further escalation of tensions. Cases of unlawful use of force by police must be promptly and independently investigated, and all police officers suspected of acting unlawfully must be brought to justice.”
Furthermore, they called on European Union leaders to “unequivocally condemn all human rights violations against demonstrators and to emphasize that guaranteeing the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression remains at the forefront of Serbia’s EU accession process.”
Earlier on Friday, the OSCE Mission in Serbia also reacted, stating it was following the escalation of violence in Serbia, including police actions, with “deep concern,” and emphasized that the safety of demonstrators, bystanders, and journalists is essential for the rule of law and democracy.
On the same day, Serbia’s mission to the OSCE responded that Serbia remains committed to respecting the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, but that “violence disguised as protest” is unacceptable.
Blockades in cities across Serbia began after student protesters called for civil disobedience following a June 28 rally in Belgrade. Since the barricades were first set up, police have intervened to clear blockades in cities across Serbia. Dozens of demonstrators have been detained, including numerous students and high school students.
Student groups and civil associations have accused the police of excessive use of force, and several opposition parties have called for the resignation of Interior Minister Ivica Dačić.
A majority of students in May demanded new elections after organizing large demonstrations and faculty blockades across the country, demanding criminal accountability from the authorities for the death of 16 people in the collapse of the main railway station canopy in Novi Sad on November 1.
