On November 22, 2024, a group of individuals–later identified to be members and supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party–physically attacked a group of students peacefully protesting at the University of Arts in Belgrade. One student was injured during the clash.

Around midday on November 22,, a large group of students gathered in the road in front of the Faculty of Arts to commemorate the 15 individuals who were killed when a rail station awning collapsed on November 1. During the gathering, around ten individuals physically assaulted the students. Videos submitted to the Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade show several different individuals repeatedly hitting and pushing students, causing minor injuries to one.

The student demonstration was a part of a larger nationwide protest, “Stop, Serbia,” to demand better governmental accountability in the wake of the deadly collapse.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about a violent attack on student protesters. Students and members of the public must refrain from violence, especially on campus, and respect the right to freedom of association and freedom of expression, and university authorities must take reasonable measures to ensure safe conditions for living, learning, and expression for students. In addition to harm to the immediate victims, violent attacks on students undermine academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.glasamerike.net/a/studenti-protest-blokade-podnet-optuzni-predlog-vise-javno-tuzilastvo-napad-fdu-beograd-novi-sad-pad-nadstresnice-odavanje-pocasti/7964957.html
https://n1info.rs/vesti/docent-fdu-nisu-identifikovani-svi-napadaci-na-studente/
https://www.masina.rs/eng/students-blockade-the-faculty-of-dramatic-arts-in-belgrade/
https://universitytimes.ie/2024/12/students-in-serbia-block-universities-in-search-of-justice/
https://serbiantimes.info/en/american-diaspora-stands-with-students-protest-held-in-new-york-in-support-of-youth-in-serbia-photo-video/