{"id":8242,"date":"2024-11-20T14:26:40","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T13:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgcentar.org.rs\/?p=8242"},"modified":"2024-11-20T14:26:40","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T13:26:40","slug":"joint-statement-stop-the-repression-and-free-the-political-prisoners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bgcentar.org.rs\/en\/joint-statement-stop-the-repression-and-free-the-political-prisoners\/","title":{"rendered":"Joint Statement: Stop the Repression and Free the Political Prisoners"},"content":{"rendered":"

We demand that the authorities put an end to the repression against citizens, activists, and opposition figures who are seeking criminal accountability for the deaths of 15 citizens following the roof collapse at the Railway Station in Novi Sad.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Repression against the people is growing increasingly brutal, and the highest state officials justify and encourage it. For many years, we have been highlighting the rise in violence within society and the erosion of the rule of law. Due to the ongoing lack of dialogue, citizens\u2019 trust in institutions has been completely shattered, opening the door for violence to prevail in resolving disputes.<\/p>\n

We demand that the Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office call a press conference as soon as possible to provide citizens with all relevant information. Additionally, we demand that the Higher Court and the Prosecutor\u2019s Office in Novi Sad release all citizens who have been unjustly detained so they can defend themselves while free. We also demand that those responsible for the violence during the November 5th protests be prosecuted fairly, including the police officers who allowed violence against both public and private property, as well as citizens.<\/p>\n

Yesterday\u2019s and today\u2019s violence against Members of Parliament and local officials in front of the prosecutor\u2019s office in Novi Sad is merely a continuation of repressive measures, which are first and foremost reflected in the unjust detention of at least nine citizens, including student Relja Stanojevi\u0107, activist Ivan Bjeli\u0107, and politicians Mi\u0161a Ba\u010dulov and Goran Je\u0161i\u0107. We also remind of the intimidation of young activists from the Svi\u0107e group, such as Nikola Risti\u0107, who was unjustly arrested on November 3rd, as well as the intimidation of female activists from the STAV group and the Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Mila Paji\u0107 and Doroteja Anti\u0107, who were practically abducted and taken to the premises of the BIA by unknown individuals.<\/p>\n

It is the duty of the institutions to guarantee the right to protest, that is, the freedom of assembly and expression, as fundamental human rights. We call on the Ombudsman of Serbia to defend citizens\u2019 rights in all these cases and to identify the failures of state bodies.<\/p>\n

We remain in solidarity with the democratic struggle of citizens to return the captured state to the framework of institutions. We demand freedom for all political prisoners and accountability from the authorities and state institutions.<\/p>\n

Signatories of the joint statement:<\/p>\n