Students from the Faculty of Law at the University of Novi Sad, currently engaged in a blockade, have reported that last night the police used excessive force against their peers who were blocking the entrances to the City Assembly. They alleged that some students were struck with batons.

“It is outrageous that students, who are expressing their views peacefully, are subjected to excessive force, which not only erodes the rule of law but also diminishes trust in institutions meant to protect citizens, not threaten them,” the students stated in a news release.

They emphasized that such police actions violate the Constitution, which safeguards the right to peaceful assembly and ensures the physical and psychological integrity of every citizen.

“We would like to point out the Police Act, which states that a police officer may resort to coercive measures only when necessary and proportional to the legitimate aim being pursued. Furthermore, Article 32 of the same law highlights that when employing force, the police must consider the intensity and repercussions to avoid unnecessary injuries or violations of human dignity,” the students noted.

They specifically referenced Article 105 of the same law, which clearly mandates that a police officer must refrain from using force if the objective can be met through alternative means.

“In this situation, there was no threat that warranted the use of force, nor was any attempt made to resolve the matter peacefully,” the students assessed.

They questioned who authorized the use of excessive force against the students and the rationale behind it.

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