Serbia civil society condemns political threats, calls for EU action

Civil society in Serbia has strongly condemned the threats made by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić through pro-government tabloids. Several non-governmental organizations in Serbia have urged the EU not to remain a silent observer while the fundamental values of the rule of law are being eroded in a country that aspires to join the Union, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

“The EU, together with the broader international community, must acknowledge the severe situation and act to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms, which are under increasing attack,” said a statement from non-governmental organizations in Serbia.

They also called on the Serbian government to immediately stop politically motivated fear campaigns and provide security for all activists. “The systematic pressure on organizations critical of the government further deepens the already paralyzing political crisis and threatens the fundamental democratic rights of citizens.”

The statement also highlighted that the targeting of Maja Stojanović and Dragan Popović by the President of Serbia is just a continuation of a coordinated pressure campaign aimed at delegitimizing and silencing independent civil society, focusing on this couple and their family.

“False accusations about their alleged role in organizing student protests are part of a broader strategy to intimidate everyone who criticizes the government for the tragedy in Novi Sad, caused by corruption and negligence. These attacks come at a time when pressure on civil society from the authorities is reaching massive paranoia levels, as they attempt to identify so-called organizers of protests and road blockades involving many citizens. Attacks on civil society serve as a tool for the government to falsely claim that civil society is orchestrating a 'color revolution in Serbia'. This narrative, directly lifted from the Kremlin's playbook for suppressing democratic societies to install absolute power, will not succeed in a country that is a candidate for EU membership,” the statement says.

Civil society expresses solidarity with the students, teachers, and all other citizens protesting today in cities and municipalities across Serbia.

“They are fighting for a free and democratic society against violence, corruption, and state capture.”

The students who began the blockades and protests after the tragic event in Novi Sad are demanding the publication of all documentation related to the reconstruction of the railway station, the filing of criminal charges against the attackers of the protesters, and a 20 percent increase in the education budget.

On November 1st, 15 people died in Serbia.