Serbia: The right to peaceful protest must be respected and any escalation prevented

The Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law (FRRL) Group has closely followed the large scale protests in Serbia following the tragedy in Novi Sad and aligns with the Statement on Serbia | EESC and Statement on the Right to Peaceful Assembly in Serbia | EESC.

Moreover, we express serious concerns about recent several reports  from CSOs suggesting orchestrated efforts to incite escalation of tensions. The FRRL Group warns against the use of unlawful means against legitimate peaceful protests.

As a State Party to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Serbian authorities have the obligation to respect, protect, and facilitate peaceful protests, ensuring that demonstrators can exercise their rights to freedom of expression and assembly without undue interference or disproportionate use of force. Serbia’s commitment to upholding fundamental rights, democracy, and the rule of law is also essential for its European perspective and progress on the path to EU integration.

The Serbian authorities must protect the voices of its citizens led by the Serbian youth peacefully demanding justice and accountability. Any attempt to distort, manipulate, or silence these voices, particularly through force, must be prevented.

The EESC FRRL Group reiterates the importance of freedom of association and assembly for a free and vibrant Serbian society.