11 Jul Three Freedoms Under the Magnifying Glass: June 27 – July 10, 2025
Violations of Fundamental Human Rights in Serbia
June 27 – July 10, 2025
While the authorities persist in portraying blockades and protests as “a problem that will be resolved quickly,” citizens and students continue to endure police brutality and various forms of pressure. In multiple cities across Serbia, including Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, and Užice, violent crackdowns on blockades, mass arrests, and ID checks of peacefully protesting citizens have been recorded. The police have used excessive force, and charges and penalties are being imposed even on those who have not engaged in any violence.
Students have been targeted for eight consecutive months, with well-known activists among those arrested. The pressure extends beyond students—attacks and threats against journalists are increasingly common, and SLAPP lawsuits filed against government critics confirm the ongoing trend of suppressing freedom of expression.
In this context, arrests and police interventions are part of a broader government strategy to crush civic movements and prevent the spread of protests, while the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech are being systematically restricted.
More details on arrests, attacks, legal pressures, and public reactions can be found in the full report below.
CASES OF VIOLATIONS OF BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS IN SERBIA June 27 - July 10, 2025