**Serbia Told to Stop Stigmatizing Student Protesters**
The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner, Michael O’Flaherty, has urged the Serbian authorities to stop using the term “colored revolution” when describing student protests. This language is seen as stigmatizing and could lead to further violence against protesters.
O’Flaherty made his call after a recent visit to Serbia, where he met with government officials and witnessed the policing of demonstrations. The commissioner noted that while the authorities may be facing challenges in managing the large number of daily student protests, it is essential to maintain democratic policing standards and ensure the safety of all citizens.
**A History of Violence**
The student protests began in November 2024, following a tragedy in Novi Sad that claimed the lives of 16 people. Since then, there have been reports of violence against protesters, including car ramming and beatings with bats. O’Flaherty urged the authorities to investigate these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.
**Investigations and Accountability**
The commissioner also called for investigations into the alleged use of a sonic weapon during a protest in Belgrade on March 15. Some 60 people have come forward claiming health consequences from the incident, and O’Flaherty urged the authorities and ombudsman to identify the perpetrator and ensure accountability.
**Foreign Nationals and Human Rights**
Furthermore, O’Flaherty called for the Serbian authorities to provide an opportunity for foreign nationals being expelled from the country on grounds of national security due to their public expression of support for student demonstrations. He also encouraged the ombudsman and the commissioner for information of public importance and personal data protection to fully implement their mandates in protecting human rights and personal data at the national level.
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