In its annual report on the state of human rights released today, Amnesty International (AI) has issued a scathing assessment of Serbia’s internal and external policies during 2025. The report highlights a dual crisis: the systemic “digital repression” of domestic dissent and a controversial, record-breaking surge in military exports to Israel.
According to AI, the Serbian government has intensified its use of invasive technology and physical force to suppress widespread public dissatisfaction, while simultaneously ignoring international law regarding arms transfers.
I. Record-Breaking Arms Exports to Israel
Under the section titled Irresponsible Arms Transfers, Amnesty International reveals that Serbia exported ammunition and military equipment worth over €55 million to Israel in the first half of 2025 alone.
- Legal Violations: AI asserts that these transfers violate Serbia’s obligations under the Arms Trade Treaty and international humanitarian law.
- Lack of Transparency: The report notes that the Serbian government has failed to respond to multiple requests for detailed information regarding the nature and destination of these military shipments.
- Context of Conflict: These exports reportedly increased by 140% in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching record levels despite a brief, official “export ban” announced by President Vučić in June 2025.
II. Suppression of Protests and “Digital Repression”
The domestic section of the report focuses on the civil unrest sparked by the November 2024 Novi Sad railway station tragedy, which claimed the lives of 16 people.
- Police Brutality: Protests demanding accountability were met with “excessive force.” AI documented hundreds of arbitrary detentions, cases of physical beatings, and instances where detainees were threatened with death and sexual violence by both uniformed and plainclothes officers.
- Spyware Targeting: In what AI calls a “digital prison,” authorities reportedly utilized advanced spyware (specifically NoviSpy) and digital forensic tools like Cellebrite to target student activists, journalists, and NGO members. These tools were often installed or utilized while victims were in police detention.
- Attacks on Media: Over 160 cases of intimidation and physical attacks on journalists were recorded by mid-2025.
III. Stalled Justice and Environmental Rights
Amnesty International also critiques the lack of progress in several long-standing areas:
- Rat War Crimes: Prosecution of 1990s-era war crimes and regional judicial cooperation have effectively been “sidelined” by current political priorities.
- Discrimination: Vulnerable groups—including the Roma community, LGBTI individuals, and people with disabilities—continue to face systemic barriers and lack of protection.
- Environmental Degradation: The report notes “limited progress” in securing the right to a healthy environment, a major point of contention for environmental activists throughout the year.
IV. Strategic Summary of the Report
| Key Metric | Findings (2025/2026) |
| Arms Export Value (to Israel) | €55M+ in H1 2025 (Record High) |
| Attacks on Journalists | 160+ cases of intimidation |
| Primary Repression Tool | NoviSpy and invasive digital forensics |
| Protest Catalysts | Novi Sad Disaster and corruption allegations |
Amnesty International concludes by calling on the Serbian government to immediately cease the illegal surveillance of its citizens and to align its military export policies with international human rights standards.
