Renew Europe welcomes the European Parliament’s firm position on Serbia, shown in the resolution put forward by Renew Europe on rising polarisation and repression there.
One year on from the Novi Sad tragedy, Renew Europe has called for an independent investigation into all reports of police brutality in Serbia and against individuals perpetuating violence.
A year after the Novi Sad tragedy, Renew Europe has demanded an independent investigation into every report of police brutality in Serbia and sanctions for those behind the violence. Renew Europe also calls on the European Union to stand with the Serbian students and peaceful protesters who oppose President Vučić’s crackdown on democracy and escalating repression.
Irena Joveva MEP (Gibanje Svoboda, SI) declared:
“The courage of Serbia's students, our Sakharov Prize finalists, in their peaceful fight for rule of law is an inspiration to us all. Yet, they have been met with a brutal wave of state-influenced violence, intimidation, and indiscriminate arrests. Words of concern are no longer enough.
No more red-carpet treatment for Vučić. We need targeted individual sanctions against those officials’ responsible violence, rule of law violations, authoritarianism. The EU should finally wake up to what is happening in our own neighbourhood. The days of impunity in Belgrade are over.”
Renew Rapporteur on Serbia, Helmut Brandstätter MEP (NEOS, AT), who tabled the resolution, commented:
“We admire the bravery and determination of Serbian students who are taking huge risks to defend democracy and the rule of law. These values also happen to be European values. This is why we shortlisted Serbian students for the Sakharov Prize.
Europe and Serbia share the same future. I am confident that we will see Serbia in the EU, but this will not be possible with an authoritarian government.”
With this resolution, the European Parliament shows strong support for peaceful protesters and their right to assemble – it also condemns the Vučić regime’s excessive use of force and attacks on democracy. It calls for the release of those detained illegally, and for the protection of civil liberties to ensure a European future without fear or repression.
Renew Europe has consistently condemned the serious attacks on democracy under President Vučić’s regime. Serbia’s EU accession process should move forward only once there is clear progress on the rule of law, judicial independence, media freedom, and the fight against corruption.