Serbia Faces Widespread Protests, Clashes Amid Police Abuse Allegations

Since November 2024, Serbia has been gripped by massive protests triggered by the collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad that killed 16 people, symbolizing deep-rooted government corruption and institutional failure. Initially peaceful and led by students demanding accountability and early elections, the demonstrations have recently escalated into violent clashes involving protesters, pro-government supporters, and riot police, with widespread reports of police brutality, including beatings and abuse of detainees. The Serbian government, led by President Aleksandar Vučić, has been accused of using excessive police force and allowing pro-government groups to attack demonstrators, while framing the protests as illegitimate and foreign-instigated. The OSCE and various NGOs have urged Serbia to avoid excessive use of force and uphold human rights obligations amid this turmoil. The protests have significantly challenged Vučić’s increasingly authoritarian regime, exposing democratic backsliding and media control favoring the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. Despite government repression and attempts to discredit the movement, the student-led protests have reshaped Serbia’s political landscape, signaling growing public demand for rule of law and democratic restoration.