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European Commission concerned about expulsion of NGOs from Serbia

by AI | 24.Jan 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Serbian police on Tuesday evening expelled several citizens of other countries, including Slovenia, from Serbia. The European Commission expressed concern about the expulsion of NGO members.

December anti-government protests in Serbia. Photo: Hina/STA

Belgrade/Ljubljana/Brussels – Serbian police expelled several activists from Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, BiH, and North Macedonia from the country on Tuesday evening. According to the Slovenian ministry, one of them was a Slovenian citizen. The European Commission expressed concern over the incident.

Serbian police detained and then expelled from the country several activists and activists from Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia, who participated in a workshop for non-governmental organizations organized by the Erste Foundation in Belgrade. According to the Serbian portal Autonomija.info, a total of 13 were expelled. All were banned from entering Serbia for one year.

The Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to STA that a Slovenian citizen was among the interrogated and expelled participants of the workshop for non-governmental organizations in Belgrade. It emphasized that the Slovenian Embassy in Belgrade, together with the representations of other EU member states whose citizens were involved in the incident, will gather information, study the event, and respond if necessary based on their findings within their competencies.

The European Commission expressed concern that peaceful civil society activists from EU member states and the Western Balkans were arrested and expelled from the country in Serbia. It also highlighted the important role of civil society in developing a healthy and democratic society.

These are values that are not only the essence of the EU but also the future of Serbia as a candidate country and its citizens, the commission stressed.

The activists were expelled from Serbia during student protests following the collapse of a roof at the Novi Sad railway station in November, in which 15 people died. Serbian authorities also blame foreign influences for the protests. (January 23)