BELGRADE, Serbia — Thousands of university students congregated outside the Constitutional Court in Belgrade on Sunday, aiming to highlight the alleged violations of civil rights under the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. The demonstration began solemnly with participants standing in silence for 15 minutes to honor the victims of a tragic concrete canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station in November, which triggered a series of anti-corruption protests across the country.

The protests mirror a broader dissatisfaction with Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian governance, as he simultaneously professes a desire to bring Serbia into the European Union, while accusations mount against him for suppressing democratic freedoms. Serbian universities have been largely shut down for weeks due to the students' ongoing strike, demanding accountability for the canopy disaster that resulted in the deaths of fourteen individuals, amidst rampant allegations of corruption linked to the reconstruction efforts that involved Chinese state companies.

The canopy collapse—a calamity many attribute to shoddy construction practices—has galvanized the nation, with a separate rally in the southern city of Nis further emphasizing the unrest. Among the striking students, there are reports of intimidation from state security forces. President Vucic has previously alleged that some protesters are being funded by foreign entities, further igniting tensions. Pro-government outlets have disseminated personal information about certain protesters, leading to fears of retribution that some claim could be orchestrated by the Serbian State Security (BIA).

Luka Stojakovic, a student affected by this targeted scrutiny, stated “we have learned that BIA can knock on our doors, conduct repression against our parents, and invited us for a ‘friendly’ chat.” He expressed concern about future pressures and retaliation tied to their activism, insisting that “we will not give up until all our demands are fulfilled.” The striking students represent a growing challenge to Vucic's firm grip on power, drawing robust public support as their rallies have attracted thousands.

During the rally on Sunday, protesters articulated specific articles of the Serbian Constitution they believe have been contravened through state actions against protesters. While Vucic's role as president is meant to be largely ceremonial, he has been accused of amassing control over various governmental functions since his ascent to power over a decade ago. In his reaction to the protests, Vucic dismissed them as “stupid” and asserted he would only resign on his own terms. “They live in their own world. They are not my problem, but I blame those who are pushing them about all this. I mean their professors,” he commented on Pink TV.

The consequences of the canopy collapse have prompted legal actions against thirteen individuals, including a government minister, but skepticism remains regarding the impartiality of these investigations under the prevailing regime. The protests serve as a beacon of the citizens' frustrations over governance in Serbia and their resolve to push for transparency and accountability.

For more information, please refer to the full reports from [Los Angeles Times] and [AP News].