UN Experts Warn of Human Rights Crisis Amid Crackdown on Serbia’s Student Protests

United Nations human rights experts have issued a strong warning about what they describe as an escalating crackdown on students, professors, and civil society in Serbia. Their statement comes in response to one of the largest protest movements the country has witnessed in decades, raising urgent questions about the state of human rights, democracy, and academic freedom in Serbia.

Protests Sparked by Tragedy Grow into National Movement

The protest movement, known as “Students in Blockade,” first emerged in late 2024 after the collapse of the Novi Sad railway canopy, a disaster that killed 16 people and left many others injured. Outrage over the tragedy quickly evolved into a sweeping call for government accountability, transparency, justice, and increased investment in education. By March 2025, the movement had drawn hundreds of thousands to the streets of Belgrade and spread to cities and towns across Serbia, as citizens demanded reforms and an end to impunity.

Systematic Repression and Intimidation

UN experts say the Serbian government has responded to the protests with systematic attempts to stifle dissent and dismantle the independence of academic institutions. “What we are witnessing in Serbia is a systematic attempt to silence critical voices and dismantle the independence of academic institutions,” the experts said. “This is not just a student protest — it is a test of human rights accountability and democratic resilience.”

Reports indicate that peaceful demonstrators have faced widespread intimidation, physical violence, and unlawful arrests. High school and university students, along with their professors and supporters, have reportedly become targets of smear campaigns orchestrated by state-aligned media. These outlets have published hundreds of defamatory articles, often branding demonstrators as “terrorists”—a label also echoed by some government officials.

Escalation of Policing and Surveillance

Since late June 2025, there has been a marked escalation in the policing of the student-led protests. According to reports, as many as 200 demonstrations have been held on certain days, with authorities responding with excessive force, arbitrary detentions, and even the deployment of plainclothes and unidentified officers. Many protesters, including minors, have been subjected to prolonged detention and, in some cases, physical harm. The use of surveillance technologies and monitoring of activists has further raised alarm among human rights observers.

“Instead of listening to young people’s voices, the Government has chosen to punish them,” the UN experts said. “This approach not only violates international human rights standards, but also, by its very nature, undermines the very foundation of a democratic society.”

Academic Institutions Under Pressure

The crackdown has not been limited to the streets. Serbia’s academic institutions have also come under direct threat. Faculty salaries have been slashed or suspended, and research funding has been drastically reduced in an apparent effort to punish universities for their perceived role in the protests. High school teachers and students have faced administrative scrutiny, threats of disciplinary action, and heightened pressure to distance themselves from the demonstrations.

The experts stress that academic freedom and the rights of students are fundamental pillars of any democratic and inclusive society. The intimidation of teachers and students for participating in civic movements runs counter to international human rights obligations and jeopardizes the independence of the education sector.

International Law and the Right to Justice

“Access to justice, effective remedies, and reparation is a fundamental right under international human rights law,” the experts emphasized. “Victims of human rights violations must be able to seek justice, obtain redress, and be protected from further harm and retaliation.”

A Call for Immediate Action and Dialogue

As the academic year closes and new student enrolment begins, the UN experts are urging the Serbian government to halt all forms of retaliation and intimidation, ensure the safety and rights of students, educators, human rights defenders, and civil society actors, and engage in meaningful dialogue with academic institutions.

They remain hopeful that the new school year will offer an opportunity for students and educators to learn and teach free from intimidation. “We urge Serbia to renew its commitment to human rights and meaningful dialogue,” the experts concluded.

Serbia’s Test of Democracy

The situation in Serbia is now widely viewed as a crucial test for the country’s democracy and its commitment to human rights. The UN experts’ call echoes concerns voiced by numerous domestic and international organizations: a society that values its future must protect its students, scholars, and civic space from repression, and foster dialogue and accountability rather than fear.