Kos and von der Leyen responded to the REUC journalist’s letter: We expect a quick investigation into the use of force by the police in Serbia

The international diplomatic journalist Saša Dobrijević has already sent several letters to the international human rights community and the institutions of the European Union regarding the events in Serbia that mostly concern the use of excessive force by the police, endangering the rule of law and endangering the basic right to assemble demonstrators in expressing their dissatisfaction with the system of the ruling political party. Dobrijević is a member of all the world’s largest journalistic organizations, associations, associations, agencies and foundations. Recently, he is also the only journalist in the Balkans who has been granted a Diplomatic Journalist Passport by an organization from the European Union – GNS – Global News Service.

In his last letter, he addressed the European institutions and directly to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the President of the European Parliament, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the members of the Council of the European Union, the Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Marty Kos.

Here is his open letter in its entirety:

Open Letter to the Institutions of the European Union

On the Recent Arrests of Students and the Suppression of Peaceful Assembly in Serbia

I write to you with deep concern regarding the recent events in the Republic of Serbia, a candidate country for European Union membership. On and following Vidovdan, June 28, 2025, peaceful student-led protests in Belgrade and other cities were met with disproportionate force, resulting in the arrest of dozens of students, including student marshals, and reports of physical violence and intimidation.
These developments raise urgent questions about Serbia’s adherence to the fundamental values enshrined in the EU Treaties—respect for human dignity, freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the rule of law. The silence of EU institutions in the face of these violations risks being interpreted not as neutrality, but as acquiescence. It sends a disheartening message to the pro-European youth of Serbia who, in defending these very values, now find themselves isolated and vulnerable.

We respectfully urge the European Union to:

– Publicly acknowledge and condemn the use of force against peaceful demonstrators, particularly students, and call for the immediate release of those detained without due process.

– Initiate or support an independent investigation into the events of June 28–29, including the legality of police actions.

– Reaffirm the EU’s commitment to democratic principles by engaging directly with Serbian civil society, student representatives, and academic institutions.

– Clarify the political consequences for candidate countries that systematically undermine fundamental rights, including the potential suspension of accession negotiations in cases of persistent democratic backsliding.

– Demonstrate solidarity through high-level visits, public statements, and targeted support for civic actors and independent institutions in Serbia.

The European Union’s credibility as a community of values depends not only on its treaties but on its actions. At a time when young citizens in Serbia are risking their safety to uphold democratic ideals, the EU must not remain a distant observer. It must be a principled partner.

We trust that you will treat this matter with the seriousness it demands and respond in a manner that reflects the Union’s founding values and its responsibility toward those who believe in them.

Respectfully,

Saša Dobrijević
Diplomatic Journalist
Belgrade, Serbia

Subject: Open letter by a diplomatic international journalist on the recent events in Serbia

Dear Mr. Dobrijević,

Thank you for your letter of 30 June addressed to President von der Leyen and Commissioner Kos who asked me to reply to you in my capacity as Head of the Unit in charge of Serbia and Kosovo in the Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood.

We have carefully read your message and taken note of your concerns.

The European Commission has been monitoring closely the situation in Serbia in the aftermath of the 28 June protest. We have reacted publicly to these developments and have been calling to avoid escalating tensions and condemn strongly all acts of violence.

As Commissioner Kos has stated, it is precisely Serbia’s EU path that offers solutions to many of the issues that are at the heart of the discussion in Serbia.

Fundamental rights and values, including rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, protection from inhumane treatment and right to freedom of expression, are at the core of our common European project. We expect them to be respected and upheld, even more specifically by our partners aspiring to EU membership.

The Serbian police should ensure the safety of demonstrators. Police action must be proportionate and respect fundamental rights, including for all those ones being detained.

We expect a swift, transparent and credible investigation into allegations of excessive use of force by the law enforcement authorities, and that due process is guaranteed for all those detained in the context of protests. Any measure of deprivation of liberty or criminal sanction should be based on reasonable suspicion of having committed an offence and must be justified and proportionate.

The Commission will continue to follow these developments closely, also in the context of EU accession negotiations with Serbia under chapter 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights).

We will continue engaging with the authorities and other stakeholders, including political actors and civil society, encouraging them to find together a way forward in Serbia to advance reforms, particularly in strengthening rule of law and fundamental rights, that are necessary for Serbia’s European future.

Yours sincerely,

Jiří PLECITÝ

Head of Unit

This is an official letter in response to the open appeal and letter of diplomatic international journalist Saša Dobrijević:

After all, it remains to be seen what will be the further reaction to the use of force by the police against students and citizens of Serbia and how much the rule of law and the right to assembly of citizens will be respected.