EU expects Serbia to investigate protest incidents

The European Union is closely monitoring the current domestic politics in Serbia and, as Brussels spokespeople say, the large mobilization of students and other groups.

Union officials express concern over reports of incidents, recalling that the right to assemble is among the basic human rights.

"We are concerned about the reported incidents against demonstrators, for which we expect a swift investigation. Freedom of assembly is a fundamental EU right that must be both protected and exercised peacefully in full respect for the rule of law and public order," said European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier.

He said that EU institutions encourage all political actors to return to dialogue and refrain from escalating tensions.

"All key actors should engage constructively and in cross-party political dialogue. This will allow us to refocus attention and energy on completing reforms in key areas of the rule of law," he said.

He also reminded that student rights and harmonisation with the EU are key to accelerating Serbia's accession process in line with the declared goals of the Serbian leadership and in the interests of the Serbian people.

For almost two months, students across Serbia have been blocking the work of more than 60 faculties, demanding accountability for the deaths of 15 people in the collapse of a canopy in Novi Sad, which struck the city on November 1, 2024.

Educators also joined the student protest.

Incidents were reported on several occasions during the gathering.

A 16-year-old student was seriously injured on January XNUMXth in downtown Belgrade when she was hit by a car during a protest blockade of an intersection.

As seen in the footage published in the media and on social media, the girl was standing on the sidewalk in front of the traffic light at the intersection of Roosevelt Street and Queen Mary Street, when a car drove onto the sidewalk and hit her.

The driver did not stop, but continued driving, carrying the girl on the roof for several meters, and after a few seconds, she fell from the roof of the car onto the asphalt.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić called on January 16 for a reduction in tensions in the country and added that "all persons must be held accountable for every incident."