Serbian civil society organizations have called on the European Union to respond to the country’s deepening political crisis, sparked by the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that killed 15 people.
In a letter addressed to EU institutions, the organizations warned that Serbia is experiencing its largest protests in decades, fueled by growing dissatisfaction with President Aleksandar Vucic’s government and its response to the incident. They urged Brussels to uphold its values and engage more actively in the crisis, European Western Balkans (EWB) reported.
The letter was signed by the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, Centre for Contemporary Politics, European Movement in Serbia, and the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights.
Mass protests and rising tensions
For weeks, students have been demonstrating in major cities, including Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš, demanding accountability for the disaster and broader government reforms. The protests have since expanded, with thousands joining calls for transparency and justice.
The phrase “Your hands are bloody” has become a rallying cry, symbolizing anger over the state’s handling of public safety, corruption, and mismanagement. As momentum builds, businesses and professional associations supported a nationwide general strike on Jan. 24.
The government has responded with a media campaign against the demonstrators, accusing them of being manipulated by foreign interests. Vucic has claimed, without evidence, that the protests are funded by the West in an attempt to destabilize Serbia.
Rights groups have also reported increased repression, including the harassment of protesters, public exposure of their personal data, and the use of spyware on activists’ mobile phones. Amnesty International has described Serbia as a “digital prison” due to these surveillance tactics.
Escalating violence and state rhetoric
Several incidents have been reported in which cars drove into demonstrators blocking roads. In one case, Vucic defended a driver involved, saying he was merely “going his own way” and could not be prosecuted. Authorities took action only after a female student was seriously injured.
Meanwhile, the government has sought to counter the protest movement by displaying banners across Belgrade depicting a red fist with a raised middle finger—a response to the demonstrators’ “bloody hands” symbol. The emblem, promoted by local officials on social media, has also appeared as graffiti on school walls.
EU faces pressure to act
The European Commission has acknowledged corruption risks in Serbia’s construction sector. Its 2024 report highlighted widespread exemptions from public procurement laws, with €7.1 billion in contracts bypassing standard procedures in 2023—nearly 10% of Serbia’s GDP. The report also warned of weak oversight of transport infrastructure projects.
Despite these findings, the Commission has remained largely silent as the protests intensify. The civil society groups behind the letter argue that EU officials have failed to support calls for reform while continuing to praise Serbia’s “steady progress” in EU accession talks.
“The values inspiring Serbia’s students and citizens used to be called ‘European values,’” the letter stated. “Yet there are no EU flags on the streets of Serbia—not because the protesters look to Russia or China, but because the European Union has failed to support their cause.”
With protests now entering their fourth month, the letter warns that Serbia is at a critical juncture. “If the EU does not act now, it risks losing the trust of the Serbian people—and the country itself,” the organizations said.