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We demand that the authorities put an end to the
repression against citizens, activists, and opposition figures who
are seeking criminal accountability for the deaths of 15 citizens
following the roof collapse at the Railway Station in Novi Sad.
Repression against the people is growing
increasingly brutal, and the highest state officials justify and
encourage it. For many years, we have been highlighting the rise in
violence within society and the erosion of the rule of law. Due to
the ongoing lack of dialogue, citizens' trust in institutions has
been completely shattered, opening the door for violence to prevail
in resolving disputes.
We demand that the Public Prosecutor's Office call
a press conference as soon as possible to provide citizens with all
relevant information. Additionally, we demand that the Higher Court
and the Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad release all citizens who
have been unjustly detained so they can defend themselves while
free. We also demand that those responsible for the violence during
the November 5th protests be prosecuted fairly, including the police
officers who allowed violence against both public and private
property, as well as citizens.
Yesterday’s and today’s violence against Members
of Parliament and local officials in front of the prosecutor’s
office in Novi Sad is merely a continuation of repressive measures,
which are first and foremost reflected in the unjust detention of at
least nine citizens, including student Relja Stanojević, activist
Ivan Bjelić, and politicians Miša Bačulov and Goran Ješić. We also
remind of the intimidation of young activists from the Sviće group,
such as Nikola Ristić, who was unjustly arrested on November 3rd, as
well as the intimidation of female activists from the STAV group and
the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Mila Pajić and Doroteja
Antić, who were practically abducted and taken to the premises of
the BIA by unknown individuals.
The institutions must guarantee the right to
protest, that is, the freedom of assembly and expression, as
fundamental human rights. We call on the Ombudsman of Serbia to
defend citizens’ rights in all these cases and to identify the
failures of state bodies.
We remain in solidarity with the democratic
struggle of citizens to return the captured state to the framework
of institutions. We demand freedom for all political prisoners and
accountability from the authorities and state institutions.
Signatories of the joint statement:
Youth Initiative for Human Rights
CRTA
Belgrade Center for Security Policy
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights
Slavko Curuvija Foundation
Civic Initiatives
Share Foundation
Partners Serbia
Belgrade Center for Human Rights
Humanitarian Law Center
Catalyst Balkans
Independent Journalist Association of
Serbia
New Optimism
Autonomous Women's Center
BIRODI
YUCOM
European Movement in Serbia
Theatre of Change
Institute for European Affairs
CEPRIS - Judicial Research Center
Centre for Contemporary Politics
Center for Cultural Decontamination
Renewables and Environmental Regulatory
Institute
Assosation “I wonder” Leskovac
ISAC Fund
Trag Foundation
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