United Nations human rights experts have issued a strong call to the Serbian government to halt its harsh crackdown on peaceful student-led demonstrations. The call, made on Monday, emphasizes the need for open dialogue with academic communities to protect academic freedom and uphold human rights principles.

The international concern arises from the Serbian authorities' targeting of students, educators, human rights activists, and civil society organizations. According to the UN's Special Rapporteurs, "Serbia is experiencing a systematic effort to silence dissent and erode the independence of educational institutions."

The protests, spearheaded by the "Students in Blockade" movement, ignited nationwide following the tragic collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad in November 2024, which resulted in 16 fatalities and numerous injuries. The movement demands government accountability, transparency, justice, and greater investment in education, reaching a climax in March 2025 with massive turnouts in the capital, Belgrade.

In response, Serbian authorities have employed violent tactics against the demonstrators, with Amnesty International highlighting disturbing footage of riot police aggressively dispersing protestors. Reports of arbitrary arrests, prolonged detentions, intimidation, physical assaults, and unlawful surveillance have surfaced, raising serious human rights concerns.

Furthermore, the government and state-backed media have labeled the protestors as "terrorists," intensifying a smear campaign against students and academic officials. The crackdown has also seen financial repercussions for educational institutions, including cuts in faculty salaries and research funding, alongside threats of disciplinary actions against teachers and students involved in the protests.

The international legal framework recognizes the right to access justice, effective remedies, and reparation as fundamental human rights. The experts noted that the Serbian government's repressive actions not only breach international human rights norms but also threaten the foundations of democratic society.

Echoing these concerns, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, and various rights organizations like Amnesty International and the Human Rights Research Centre have condemned the Serbian authorities' actions. They urge an immediate end to the violence and call for the government to address the protestors' demands responsibly and respectfully.