09 Jul Repression against the entire society in Užice: Detention of a student, professor, NGO director, councilor, lawyer, and citizens
Civic Initiatives strongly condemn the repressive measures implemented by the state in Užice and demand the immediate release of seven citizens, including a student, a professor, a councilor, and a lawyer, as well as other participants in the protest. We call on the relevant institutions to halt further proceedings against them and to urgently review the legality of the detention measures imposed.
Seven people were arrested for their participation in the blockades organized across Serbia after June 28 – a legitimate form of civil protest. Among them are student Pavle Cicvarić, professor Branko Nikolić, lawyer and councilor Radovan Novaković, Libergraf director Vladan Sinđić, and several other citizens. They were today ordered to remain in detention for up to 30 days. Detention was imposed in absentia on the professor, who ended up in the hospital after his arrest. Instead of applying the law, the state has decided to punish them – with detention.
This decision grossly violates fundamental human rights, domestic laws, and international standards. According to the applicable legislation, detention can only be imposed in exceptional cases – when there is a reasonable suspicion that a person will flee, repeat the offense, or influence witnesses. None of these conditions have been proven. The detention decision for the seven citizens is contrary to the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, Articles 9 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the practice of the European Court of Human Rights. Detention must not be used as a means of intimidating citizens.
The political message of such conduct is clear: the regime is attempting to intimidate all social groups that show resistance. The arrested individuals are not hooligans – they are people who represent the pillars of society: education, law, local democracy, critical thinking, and active citizenship. By imprisoning them, the state is shutting down the idea that citizens have the right to protest, express themselves, and act freely.
We call on the Delegation of the European Union, the OSCE mission, and all international organizations that advocate for human rights to urgently speak out regarding this case. At a time when Serbia claims to share European values, it must not apply an authoritarian style of governance.
In Užice, the entire society is in detention. And that is why we will not remain silent.