Ponos: ODIHR seeks to send mission to Serbia, inquires about protest arrests

The letter, addressed to Serbia’s Ambassador to the OSCE Zarko Obradovic and other international organizations in Vienna, details specific concerns about arrests and attacks on peaceful demonstrators.

Student demonstrations began more than two months ago when students blockaded the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade following attacks on their peers. Since then, the protests have expanded significantly, leading to the closure of all faculties across Serbia's four universities, as reported by Nova.rs.

Students have taken to the streets, protesting, organizing solidarity rallies, and demanding accountability for the tragedy in Novi Sad, where on November 1, the concrete canopy at the city’s main train station collapsed, killing fifteen people and severely injuring two others.

They are also calling for the punishment and removal from public office of those responsible for attacking their colleagues from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts.

Students have faced increasing intimidation, including vehicle attacks and physical attacks by activists from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

These incidents have attracted attention from international media outlets, despite the government attempts to downplay the events.

It now seems that the ODIHR is taking an interest in the situation in Serbia.

In its letter addressed to Serbia’s Ambassador to the OSCE Zarko Obradovic and international organizations in Vienna, and shared on X by Ponos, ODIHR inquires about the ongoing events in Serbia, specifically the student protests, and asks the ambassador if it is true that protesters are being attacked and arrested.

What does the letter say

In its letter, ODIHR expresses concern over the recent developments in Serbia that have unfolded following the 1 November 2024 Novi Sad train station canopy collapse in which 15 people were killed and two severely injured.

It says that it has received reports that protesters in Serbia are being attacked and arrested, actually that multiple reports on this issue have reached ODIHR.

It recalls that OSCE human dimension commitments expressly recognize the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

It requests further information on the recent events, including about the circumstances in which protesters were arrested during the protests, and clarification on which grounds arrests were made, the number of individuals who remain in detention, details of any administrative and criminal charges brought and ensuing convictions.

Finally, ODIHR offers to send a mission to monitor public assemblies in Serbia, covering the period February-June 2025, but expects an official invitation from Ambassador Obradovic to proceed with this request.