In light of the upcoming significant rally in Belgrade on March 15, which the country’s president warns may lead to “major violence” and potential arrests, the European Union (EU) emphasizes that core values are “instrumental to our shared European project and must be upheld.”

“This extends to the freedom of assembly as a fundamental right,” the EU press service stated in a response to Radio Free Europe (RFE).

The statement further stresses that active citizen participation is essential for cultivating a robust and democratic society, which includes ensuring transparency and accountability.

Recently, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has repeatedly claimed that “the opposition is orchestrating significant violence on March 15,” threatening that “everyone involved will be arrested.”

“The EU consistently advocates for de-escalating tensions and creating the conditions necessary for an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, including political representatives, institutions, and civil society members, to address the necessary reforms for Serbia’s future in the EU,” Brussels remarked.

EU officials confirm they are closely observing the current political landscape in Serbia, including the significant student mobilization and participation from various groups.

In response to President Vučić’s assertions that the West is behind the so-called “colored revolution,” referring to the mobilization of students and citizens in Serbia, EU officials reiterated that “disinformation and political rhetoric, including that directed towards the EU and its member states, are unacceptable on the path to EU integration.”

Students in Serbia have called for a major rally, heralding it as “the largest gathering ever” in the capital on March 15.

Students from various regions across Serbia have begun their journey on foot to Belgrade, covering long distances to make their way to the protest.

For the past four months, students have been staging demonstrations in several major cities, demanding accountability for the tragic deaths of 15 individuals in Novi Sad, following a canopy collapse at the Railway Station on November 1, 2024.

Through blockades and protests, these students are insisting on the release of all documents concerning the reconstruction of the Novi Sad Railway Station to establish accountability for the accident, the prosecution of those who attacked previous protest participants, and the suspension of legal actions against those arrested during the demonstrations.

The government contends that it has met all the students’ demands; however, a group of experts appointed by the Senate of the University of Belgrade has disputed this in their report.

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