The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office has urged for calm in anticipation of a protest scheduled in Belgrade for tomorrow, emphasizing the need for the Serbian authorities to permit the demonstration to occur without unnecessary obstruction.

“As tensions rise in Serbia ahead of the mass student-led protest in Belgrade tomorrow, we urge for peace and for the demonstrations to be conducted peacefully. We call upon the authorities to ensure that the protests proceed without undue interference,” stated Jeremy Lawrence, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva.

The UN Human Rights Office reminds Serbia of its duty under international law to protect human rights and to uphold the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.

“We also call for the safeguarding of human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society members, reminding authorities that they must be permitted to perform their roles freely and safely,” the statement continued.

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