The Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN) issued a public statement condemning the disproportionate use of police force during the Vidovdan protest in Serbia on 28 June 2025. While demonstrators gathered peacefully to demand early elections and government accountability, law enforcement used tear gas, stun grenades, and physical force against protesters and journalists. BCSDN stressed that the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are core democratic values protected by international standards. The organization called on Serbian authorities to launch an impartial and effective investigation into all allegations of police misconduct and to hold those responsible accountable, regardless of rank. BCSDN warned that ongoing impunity risks further eroding public trust in democratic institutions. Read more here.
Source: BCSDN
