Experts for human rights of the United Nations (UN) expressed their deep concern about the intensified crackdown by the Serbian authorities with to students, professors, human rights defenders, civil society actors and citizens in the midst of one of the largest protest movement in the country's recent history.
"What we are witnessing in Serbia is a systematic attempt to silence critical voices and dismantle the independence of academic institutions," experts said, adding that this is not just a student protest but "a test of responsibility in the field of human rights and the resilience of democracy."
Access to justice, effective legal remedies and reparation, as assessed, represent a fundamental right under international human rights law, according to UN experts.
Victims must seek justice
Victims of human rights violations, they point out, must be able to seek justice, receive compensation and be protected from further harm and retaliation.
"Protests, led by the 'Students in Blockade' movement, broke out at the end of 2024 and have since spread throughout Serbia. What started as a call for accountability after the tragic canopy collapse Railway stations in Novi Sad - in which 16 people died and several were seriously injured - turned into a nationwide demand for responsibility, transparency, justice and investment in education. The movement reached its peak in March 2025, when hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Belgrade in a strong display of civic unity," UN experts said.
A worrying pattern of repression
They noted that the Government's reaction was marked by a worrying pattern of repression.
According to them, peaceful protesters faced intimidation, physical attacks, surveillance and arrests, often without legal basis, students and university officials were "targets of coordinated smear campaigns", with media close to the authorities publishing hundreds of defamatory articles and labeling the protesters as "terrorists - a term used by the authorities".
"From the end" June 2025, Serbia experienced an escalation in police treatment of peaceful, student protests, with reports indicating that, in some places, more than 200 demonstrations were taking place per day. Authorities responded with excessive force, arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions, including of high school and university students. "Reports of illegal surveillance, serious injuries and the employment of unidentified or plain-clothed policemen have raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability and respect for human rights," UN experts point out.
The government punishes young people
Instead of listening to the voices of young people, the Government of Serbia, they point out, decided to punish them.
"This kind of approach not only violates international human rights standards, but by its very nature undermines the very foundations of a democratic society," the expert said.
They indicate that educational institutions are under pressure, teacher salaries have been reduced and/or suspended, and research funding has been drastically reduced. Also, they add, high school students and their teachers were allegedly subjected to administrative checks and threats of disciplinary measures for participating in or supporting the demonstrations.
"As the academic year ends and enrollment begins, we call on Serbia to renew its commitment to human rights and meaningful dialogue," the experts said.
They express the hope that the new school year will allow students and teachers to learn and teach without intimidation.
UN experts called on the Government of Serbia to immediately stop all forms of retaliation and intimidation, to ensure the safety and rights of students, teachers, human rights defenders, civil society actors and citizens and to enter into a meaningful dialogue with academic institutions, according to the appeal signed by seven UN experts.
The answer of the Mission of Serbia to the UN
The response of the Mission of Serbia to that organization arrived at the announcement of the UN expert.
"Serbia remains firmly committed to the protection of human rights, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including illegal, i.e. unregistered assemblies that far exceed the legal limits of freedom of expression," announced the Mission of Serbia to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva.
The Mission of Serbia responded to the appeal of its colleagues from the UN that, although Serbia remains committed to the protection of human rights, no democracy can tolerate violent protests or deliberate attempts to destabilize institutions, under any pretext.
"Recently, Serbia has been facing serious and alarming events that go beyond democratic political behavior. Of particular concern are the increasingly serious incidents targeting elected officials, advisors, police officers and political institutions, which represent a violation of democratic principles," the IX mission announced.
The announcement added that although demonstrations in front of public institutions are legitimate, the incidents mentioned are not an expression of dissent, but a means of coercion.
"Serbia expects full recognition of its democratic framework and the complex reality on the ground before any premature conclusions are made," concluded the Mission of Serbia to the UN.
Source: H1
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