EP S&Ds support Serbian student protesters

“The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament stand in solidarity with Serbian students who are demanding justice and accountability for the fifteen lives lost in a deadly collapse of the train station roof in Novi Sad, which triggered mass protests against the ruling elite under the slogan ‘Corruption Kills’. The group firmly supports the people’s right to protest and strongly condemns any acts of intimidation, violence against protesters, and oppression of foreign citizens,” a press release said.

It quoted S&D Vice-President Kathleen Van Brempt as saying that they are closely following the student protest and fully support their call for justice and accountability from Serbia’s key institutions. She expressed concern about the severely restricted functioning of the Serbian parliament. “In current circumstances, without fully respecting European values and rules, there can be no progress for Serbia on its path towards the EU, no opening of new chapters or clusters in the accession negotiations. Nevertheless, we will continue to stand with the people of Serbia who are demanding justice and democracy,” she said.

EP Rapporteur for Serbia Tonino Picula said that “reports of intimidation and violence against students in the streets, including the involvement of secret services and hooligans linked to the ruling party, are deeply troubling”. “We strongly condemn any form of intimidation or violence against protesters,” he said.

“We reiterate our call to Serbia, a candidate for EU membership, to uphold European values – democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. This includes the obligation to provide credible information to the public, rather than spreading the narrative of a ‘Western-backed colour revolution’, used by the ruling party and pro-government media only to discredit the protesters,” he added.