Resolution of the European Parliament on Events in Serbia: Better Late Than Never
- Minority Issues Research Institute (MIRI)
- Dec 30, 2025
- 5 min read
"Translated and republished with the permission of the publisher. Translated by Martin Smolinský, MS TRANS SERVICES s.r.o."
Suggested Citation: Svetluša Surová, "Resolution of the European Parliament on Events in Serbia: Better Late Than Never," Minority Issues Research Institute, December 30, 2025, https://www.miri.international/post/resolution-of-the-european-parliament-on-events-in-serbia-better-late-than-never.
At last, one institution of the European Union (EU) has done its homework properly in relation to the protests in Serbia. The protests began after last year’s tragedy, when the collapse of a canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad claimed the lives of sixteen people.
Original article in the Slovak language was published in the Slovak magazine .týždeň on 27 November 2025
Shortly before the anniversary of this tragic event, on 22 October 2025, the European Parliament adopted a Resolution on polarisation and increased repression in Serbia one year after the Novi Sad tragedy. Although the resolution is not legally binding, it is politically highly significant.
The European Parliament took a clear stance on socio-political developments in Serbia. It also voiced criticism within its own ranks regarding the relationship between certain EU representatives and institutions and the Serbian authorities. The resolution was adopted by a decisive majority, with 457 votes in favour, 103 against and 72 abstentions.
What the resolution says and why it matters
Marking the anniversary of the canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station and the death of sixteen people, Members of the European Parliament expressed support for the participatory rights of students and citizens to engage in peaceful protest and warned against the misuse of criminal law to suppress civic participation. A particularly important provision of the resolution condemns violence, intimidation and arbitrary arrests not only of demonstrators, but also of journalists, civil society organisations and opposition representatives in Serbia.
The text refers to unlawful arrests of activists and members of the political party Movement of Free Citizens (Pokret slobodnih građana). It also criticises retaliatory measures taken by the government against employees in the sectors of education and culture for supporting the protests, including dismissals, salary reductions, the presence of police on university campuses, and the suspension of funding for public universities.
The resolution explicitly identifies those it holds responsible for the crisis that has persisted in Serbia since last year’s tragic event. MEPs regard the Serbian leadership as politically responsible for the “normalisation of violence, the weakening of democratic institutions, and the failure to protect fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and media pluralism”.
It also condemns members of the ruling party in connection with an illegal camp in Pionirski Park in front of the Presidential Office and its subsequent expansion to the square overlooking the Serbian Parliament in Belgrade.
Members of the European Parliament further noted reports that the ruling party has mobilised individuals with criminal backgrounds to carry out counter-demonstrations and attacks against protesters. Attacks against members of national minorities — including Slovaks in Bački Petrovac, Romanians, Bulgarians, and Croats — as well as the use of ethnic slurs in pro-government media, are likewise condemned in the resolution.
The document also expresses concern over deepening political polarisation in Serbia and calls on all actors to engage in constructive dialogue.
Further criticism is directed at presidential pardons granted to individuals convicted of violence against students and other citizens participating in peaceful protests, as well as verbal attacks by Serbia’s highest officials on Members of the European Parliament due to their participation in student protests or statements related to them. This refers to the verbal attack by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić against MEPs from the European Green Party (EGP), who took part in a large protest in Novi Sad on 5 September 2025 as part of a delegation. On that occasion, the President referred to them as “European scum”.
The resolution supports the dispatch of an ad hoc EU fact-finding mission to Serbia, involving the European Parliament, to assess the situation on the ground, including the state of democracy, ongoing protests, and repression against their participants.
In addition to detailing the problematic and unlawful actions related to the year-long anti-government protests in Serbia, the resolution issues urgent calls to the Serbian authorities to adopt concrete measures.
What the European Parliament demands from the Serbian authorities
First, in connection with the protests, Serbian authorities are called upon to investigate all allegations of excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, sexual violence against detainees, politically motivated prosecutions, and other serious human rights violations.
Second, the authorities are urged to restore funding for universities and ensure the unrestricted participation of the academic and research community in EU-funded projects.
Third, the safe return of all citizens who fled the country due to political persecution, intimidation, or fear of persecution should be enabled.
Fourth, Serbia is called upon to implement the recommendations of international election observation missions of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in order to ensure free and fair elections. Specifically, this includes auditing the voter register, ensuring transparent and pluralistic appointments to the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM), and guaranteeing fair and equal access to airtime on the public broadcaster RTS for all political actors.
The Serbian authorities are further urged to conduct comprehensive technical safety inspections of all infrastructure facilities.
An appeal to the EU’s own ranks
Beyond its assessment of developments in Serbia, Members of the European Parliament also addressed several appeals to their own institutions, the European Commission, and EU Member States. In particular, the Commission and Member States were called upon to closely monitor the implementation of reforms and for senior EU officials to refrain from unfounded statements praising Serbia’s reform process.
This indirect criticism of the Commission’s leadership was carefully framed in diplomatic and politically sensitive language, welcoming the change in the “tone of the Commission President during her recent visit to Serbia, which reflects a more accurate assessment of Serbia’s fundamental problems and negative outcomes in the area of key reforms”.
Member States were also asked to strengthen protective measures for individuals at risk in connection with the situation in Serbia and to adopt a unified response to the country’s democratic backsliding.
A call directed beyond the EU
The resolution also calls on states outside the EU, in connection with the planned Expo 2027 exhibition in Serbia, to take into account concerns and evidence regarding corrupt practices by the ruling authorities, as well as reported non-compliance with basic construction standards and legal requirements in the organization and construction of the exhibition.
Not legally binding, but politically significant
Although the resolution is not legally binding, it carries considerable political weight and reflects the prevailing orientation and priorities of the European Parliament. This means that the above-mentioned appeals constitute official requests for action that the Serbian authorities are expected to take. It represents political pressure not only on the Serbian government and other domestic authorities, but also on EU institutions and even the EU’s highest representatives to adjust their conduct and act accordingly.
Several days after the adoption of this resolution, the European Commission published its Enlargement Report on Serbia, criticizing the country for lagging in the areas of democracy, fundamental rights and media freedom. In relation to the protests, Serbian authorities were reproached for the excessive use of force against demonstrators and pressure on civil society, which negatively affects freedom of expression and assembly. The report also criticized corruption, highlighted links between crime and politics, and noted the insufficient results in criminal prosecutions.
Svetluša Surová is a political scientist, researcher, and specialist in the field of minority rights law. Her research focuses on minority rights, diaspora policies and the collective identities of Slovaks living in Serbia. She is the founder and president of the Minority Issues Research Institute (MIRI).
Comments