EU criticised for staying silent on Serbia protests

For past three months, students in Serbia have been blocking universities and preventing exams from taking place, as they demand justice for the victims of the Novi Sad train station disaster. Their demands are simple. They want institutions to work, corruption to be eradicated, and for the constitution and democracy to be respected - values they say are compatible with the European Union. So why is Brussels turning a blind eye? Marko Vlahovic reports.

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[viking]

The EU is a disgrace and a shame regarding the events in Serbia. They pretend to be incompetent, but in fact they tacitly support him. This is due to the huge subsidies that their companies receive, which is 20, 30, 000 euros per workplace. They get constant concessions such as the right to mine Lithium which is opposed by the vast majority of the population. So they suddenly forgot about human rights, freedom of speech and opinion.

[futayzs]

Germany want lithium from Serbia. That's way they keep mouth shout....

[nenavujicin]

EU supports Serbian president Vucic ( although he is pro- Putin); but EU supports him because of profit from Rio Tinto and lithium mining.

[Spoderman-kiwicanuck]

The struggle against fascism is widening

[lenaye]

Horrible missinterpratation. Students are fiercly defending integrity of their protests and refusing any influence. They don't excpect any kind of help from the "outside" . They keep repeating that this is a grassroot movement and not any kind of "color" revolution. The support would be nice, but they are absolutlly not holding their breath, nor depending on it.

[Deltasquadformingup]

Im 16. Just want to say you have some allies like me in America. I am currently studying the language, history, law, and relegion of Serbia. And I hope to one day be welcomed in your country when I graduate High School.

[shockmonkey]

But they dont reflect EU want for lithium... Hipocrites, human rights my backside.

[AlexM-th]

The European Parliament is well aware of the situation and has supported the students, as well as called on the authorities that people have the right to peacefully protest. The European Commission and the Council of Europe, however, have remained silent. Peaceful student protests in Serbia for three months have impressed the entire free-thinking world. This is now the biggest student movement in the history of Serbia, what used to be Yugoslavia, and the Balkans. Those who wish to remain silent - shame on them! Those who support - thank you!

[JesseJames-fi]

So proud of my serbian brothers and sisters. Never give up, you deserve so much better

[Enochbc]

EU should mind it's own business. Serbia is a sovereign nation.

[andrejparunovic]

The EU has no right to meddle in Serbia. GO AWAY

[jeboshifru]

Students are NOT asking to reflect values of the EU. Students clearly stated that they know why EU is not supporting protests - EU is involved in project "Jadar", which should provide Serbian lithium for EU countries, for the price of devastating Serbian eco-system and bringing ecological catastrophe to our land. Our president agreed to make us an EU colony instead of EU member. This is why Europe was silent.

[RaketicBearwood]

The EU is now at a point where it can no longer remain completely invisible, but it also cannot act directly without admitting it was already deeply involved in things it officially claims to oppose. The Jadar project is the perfect stage for a first vague move: to pose as a concerned observer and a partner of the people, without formally acknowledging that it had previously calculated with the same project.

This is a chance to make a gesture without commitment while still appearing politically engaged. At the same time, it gives the EU room to reshape its role and reposition itself with minimal cost.

[AlexM-th]

I kindly ask those who are not familiar with the situation to please refrain from commenting. Thank you.

[lindamilosevic]

For how long? Until when? This must come to an end. This protest are too long.😮

No Russia, no European union, but free world,

[amandaslade]

Isn't Nis the second largest city

[mv]

Where are the answers to the comments? Vanished?

[mv]

We dot all think we need support from the EU, that is not true.

[izilfe]

EU should stay away from the INTERNAL affairs of Serbia.


Plain and simple.


Other then when you see the government of Serbia breaking human rights, then speak!