On the sixth day since June 28, widespread violent crackdowns in Belgrade and other major towns in Serbia were largely peaceful student protesters, when the student movement called for an early parliamentary election, Amnesty International and civil rights defenders said in a joint statement:
Videos of Serbian riot police occasionally targeting peaceful protesters gathered on the streets and in front of the University of Belgrade, which was shocking. Among protesters, arrests and police guardians, protesters of students have been widely arrested and alleged that excessive or other illegal use of force against students protesters has been used to protest against students.
“While the state has a duty to ensure public order and to respond to personal violence, any use of force must be the last resort and is strictly necessary and proportional to achieve legitimate goals. A strong response to peaceful objections is unreasonable.
Video of Serbian riot police futilely targeting peaceful protesters gathered in the streets and in front of the University of Belgrade. The blockade and front of the University of Belgrade is shocking
“Serbian authorities must exercise restraints and ensure that people can safely participate in demonstrations and express their objections without intimidation, harassment or violence. Doing so may escalate tensions further. An example of police use of illegal force must be investigated quickly and independently, and any person suspected of being suspected of acting illegally must act illegally.
“EU leaders should explicitly condemn any violation of human rights of protesters and stress that the right to ensure peaceful assembly and freedom of expression remains front and center in the EU joining process in Serbia.”
background
This week, a largely growing crackdown on peaceful citizen action was a growing crackdown on peaceful citizen action after student protesters called for early parliamentary elections and established hundreds of lockdowns in multiple towns across the country. Amnesty International has received reports about hundreds of students, including high school students, and other protesters arrested on various criminal and administrative charges since Sunday. Although many have been released, there have been reports that police used excessive force, including assault, during protests, arrests and detention, which left several students hospitalized for injuries.
Last Saturday, thousands of people took to the streets of Serbian capital Belgrade to demand early parliamentary elections. The protests on Saturday were the last protests in Serbia in nearly eight months, triggered by the collapse of the train station in November 2024, killing 16 people and sparking allegations of negligence and corruption in government infrastructure projects.
