Serbian students protest pressure on universities
Rallies demand accountability after deadly roof collapse
Several thousand activists and students rallied in Novi Pazar and other Serbian cities to protest what they say is government and university pressure on higher education after a deadly railway station roof collapse last year. The Novi Pazar demonstration — the first of its kind in the majority Bosniak, youth-skewed town — drew participants from across the country and formed part of a broader movement demanding accountability, transparency and protection of academic freedom.
Students who joined nationwide marches say they have faced disciplinary warnings, revoked student status for absences tied to protest activity, and the dismissal of dozens of lecturers after participating in commemorations for victims of the collapse. Protesters demanded the resignation of the university’s managing board and the election of a new rector, while carrying banners and chanting slogans denouncing attempts to silence dissent and calling for universities to remain independent from political influence.
Organised by students, academics and opposition figures, the movement accuses President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling party of fostering corruption, nepotism, poor public services and restrictions on media freedom — charges the president and his party deny. University officials and government representatives say any disciplinary steps reflect breaches of campus rules, not punishment for political expression, and that investigations into the station collapse remain under way.
Human rights groups and academic unions warned that pressure on students undermines democratic debate and urged authorities to protect the right to peaceful protest. Despite a noticeable police presence, demonstrations were largely peaceful, and student leaders pledged to continue rallies until there are formal guarantees against reprisals for activism. The protests, which have spread to Belgrade, Novi Sad and other centres, reflect wider public anger over alleged negligence and governance failures linked to the fatal infrastructure collapse and have strengthened calls for institutional reform and accountability.
