MEPs Condemn State-Sponsored Violence, Intimidation and Arrests in Serbia

European Parliament (BETAPHOTO/European Parliament/Philippe STIRNWEISS)

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have backed the right of students and citizens in Serbia to peaceful protests, and have condemned, in the strongest terms, the wave of state-sponsored violence and intimidation against and indiscriminate arrests, holding the Serbian leadership politically responsible for escalating repression, normalizing violence and dismantling democratic institutions in the country.

In the text seen by BETA, MEPs condemn the actions of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party in organizing an illegal encampment in Pionirski park in Belgrade, and the arbitrary and politically motivated use of presidential pardons for individuals convicted of or prosecuted for violence against students and other citizens participating in peaceful protests. The Serbian authorities use violence against political opponents and employ disproportionate use of force against protesters, according to the text, adding that repression had escalated by early 2025.

The Resolution, due for adoption on Oct. 22, supports the prompt deployment of an ad hoc EU fact-finding mission to Serbia, with the participation of the European Parliament, and invites the Commission to launch an initiative for targeted individual sanctions to be imposed against those responsible for serious violations of law and human rights in Serbia.

The document further says that elections in Serbia have been marred by systemic abuses, including irregularities in the voter register, vote buying, misuse of state resources, pressure and intimidation against voters and public employees, and the deployment of fake election observers.

According to the text, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has framed the protests as ‘color revolutions’ organized and financed by foreign secret services of Western states, and has transmitted this via pro-government media, whereas Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has supported this narrative. The document further says that Vucic has also been using dehumanizing language towards EU politicians, including MEPs, who have expressed their support for the protesters.