Joint Statement: European Civil Society Organizations Express Concern Over the Human Rights Situation in Serbia

Estonian Human Rights Centere has signed a joint statement by European civil society organizations aiming to draw attention to systematic human rights violations in Serbia. The initiative was launched by the Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) and has been joined by 374 civil society organizations from 27 European countries.

The statement was prompted by events on January 22, 2025, when ten individuals were detained in the middle of the night in Belgrade and expelled from Serbia. These individuals were participants in the Erste Stiftung NGO Academy program, designed for young professionals working in non-governmental organizations. Local authorities justified the deportation under Article 9 of Serbia’s Foreigners Act, claiming that the individuals posed a security threat to Serbia. Additionally, all those expelled were issued a one-year ban on entering Serbia.

Over the past month, two similar expulsions of Croatian nationals have taken place, and earlier this year, Bosnian activists and writers who expressed support for protests in Serbia were also banned from entering the country. Since last summer, repression against Serbian civil society, grassroots activists, and peacefully protesting students has intensified. This is evidenced by documented surveillance by Amnesty International, detentions, and unpunished violence carried out by state-affiliated groups. This time, the regime targeted an international group of civic activists, supported by a respected Austrian foundation promoting regional cooperation and educational exchange.

This incident reflects a disturbing pattern of increasing hostility by the Serbian government towards Serbian citizens, foreign civic activists, and journalists. It is evident that these actions take place in the context of widespread student protests across Serbia against corruption, mismanagement of public services, and abuse of power, which the regime perceives as a serious threat. This latest incident raises grave concerns about the state of human rights and freedoms in Serbia, particularly regarding the safety and security of individuals and organizations engaged in human rights advocacy both locally and regionally.

Even more concerning is the fact that these actions by the authorities appear to be part of a broader strategy to incite hostility towards neighboring countries and the European Union as a whole. The Vučić regime is evidently searching for an “external enemy” to divert attention from and evade responsibility for domestic issues related to public safety and access to public services, which have sparked widespread criticism, particularly led by students across Serbia.

European civil society organizations strongly urge Serbian authorities to provide a transparent explanation for these unjustified and illegitimate actions against citizens of EU member and candidate countries and to ensure that such unfair treatment does not happen again. It is crucial to uphold and protect the rights of all individuals, especially those who are working towards positive societal change.

Read the full statement

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