Three Freedoms Under the Magnifying Glass: January 31 – February 13, 2025
Three Freedoms Under the Magnifying Glass: January 31 – February 13, 2025

Author(s): Not Specified Author
Subject(s): Politics, Criminal Law, Civil Society, Governance, Communication studies, Criminology, Corruption - Transparency - Anti-Corruption
Published by: Građanske inicijative
Keywords: Repression ; Intimidation ; Censorship; Police Abuse; Human Rights
Summary/Abstract: Despite the authorities’ persistent attempts to portray the students’ demands as fulfilled, the facts show otherwise. One of the students’ demands is to punish those who attack participants in protests and blockades. New incidents and attacks are recorded every day, and the list of those who threaten protesting citizens continues to grow. Furthermore, while there is a declared commitment to dialogue, repression is secretly being carried out against everyone who supports the students. Professors and employees who publicly support the protests are being fired and reassigned to worse positions. Revenge is being carried out quietly, at the local level, and the existential threats against citizens are intended to discourage the mass expansion of the protests. However, the tactics of the authorities have not been successful so far, and citizens are rising up in large numbers, standing with the students and their demands for the rule of law and a state that does not promote or nurture corruption. In the past two weeks, several incidents have been recorded on the streets of cities across Serbia. Numerous instances of cars driving through gatherings have been noted. Bricks and firecrackers were thrown at protestors in Belgrade. The Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš was physically attacked during the protest. During this period, the persecution of activists continued. This is part of the ruling party’s strategy and the pro-regime media’s efforts to portray the protests as a conspiracy by non-governmental organizations and foreign powers against Serbia. Specifically, the Administration for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism requested account details from all banks in Serbia for five activists, citing the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. This represents a continued abuse of the law to confront regime critics.

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