Council of Europe: Serbian Authorities to Refrain from Excessive Use of Force

Strasbourg(Photo:PrintScreen YouTube)

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty expressed concern on July 4 about the state of human rights in Serbia, where, despite assurances he said, from the authorities in Serbia during his visit to the country last April, “Excessive force is being used to contain protests,” the Council of Europe stated.

“Over the past several days we have witnessed a rise in civil unrest, with blockades organized by protesters across Serbia, following largely peaceful demonstrations on Saturday, June 28, in Belgrade,” the statement said. “Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are key human rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights, and it is Serbia’s duty to guarantee them. Peaceful demonstrations are legitimate tools for civil society to express discontent, including with the political situation, and they should be protected,” the Commissioner said.

“I am particularly concerned about the arrest of children, as well as a number of students who have been charged with criminal offenses or hospitalized to receive treatment of their injuries,” O’Flaherty said. The Commissioner believes that the use of batons, tear gas, stun grenades, and, in general, the use of force by police against demonstrators to remove blockades “may not be meeting the requirements of necessity and proportionality, as guaranteed by international human rights law.”

During his recent visit, the Commissioner had already expressed concern about the stigmatization of demonstrators, which continues now with students being labeled as terrorists and hooligans and accused of attempting a “color revolution.” “Such misrepresentation of this largely peaceful student-led movement must be avoided at all costs,” he said.