One year after violent attacks by pro-regime thugs on students and faculty at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts (FDU), the Serbian student movement remains active, yet its demands for accountability and justice remain unfulfilled. The initial call—to identify and prosecute the attackers—has largely been ignored, exposing the systemic failure of state institutions under President Aleksandar Vučić.
Despite thousands of hours of engagement with citizens and persistent activism, authorities have refused to hold political loyalists accountable. Figures aligned with the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) continue to evade punishment for acts of extreme violence, while the police and judiciary operate with blatant bias, enforcing laws selectively to protect regime allies.
Political analyst Vujo Ilić notes: “The state’s selective application of the law is persistent and visible, particularly when it comes to punishing those close to the ruling party. The fact that the students’ demands remain unmet a year later demonstrates how deeply public institutions are compromised under Vučić.”
The movement has faced escalating repression, from beatings of students to attacks on journalists covering protests. Yet, the student movement has adapted strategically, focusing on key demands such as fair elections and transparency in governance. Dragan Popović, director of the Center for Practical Politics, emphasizes: “The authorities have unleashed a barrage of repression, yet students remain at the forefront of civil resistance. The challenge is now to build a broader coalition capable of confronting a regime that operates with impunity.”
Observers note that while public support for the student movement remains high, the regime’s pervasive intimidation, politicization of universities, and disregard for human rights continue to threaten the movement’s impact. Cases like the denial of professorial appointments to supporters of student activism illustrate the extent of political control and retaliation in Serbia’s academic institutions.
As the movement enters its second year, it faces a critical test: sustaining momentum while navigating the relentless authoritarianism of Vučić’s regime. Its future effectiveness will depend on uniting civil society, opposition forces, and citizens committed to justice, demonstrating that persistent grassroots activism can challenge an entrenched and violent political elite.
