Here it is, dear readers, yet another proof that freedom of expression in Serbia is hanging by a thread! Police Director Dragan Vasiljević publicly declared that the police are “ready” and will not allow any disturbance of public order and peace, especially regarding the announced student protests for Vidovdan. But wait, there’s more! The police claim that a whopping 95% of public gatherings are unregistered, and naturally, they will react to any form of violence. But what exactly is violence? Is peaceful assembly and expressing dissatisfaction violence? It seems that in Serbia, there is no right to protest unless it’s by the book, and the law is interpreted to suit whoever’s in charge.
The police are ready to “carry out any task” and will not allow “attempts to storm state institutions” or “endanger the safety of any citizen.” But is protesting against the system really a threat to safety? Or is it just the voice of the people demanding change?
This statement comes at a time when students are announcing blockades and protests, and the authorities are sending a clear message: no protesting without permission! Is this democracy or a police state?
If you think this is an exaggeration, remember that the police have already been busy in recent months dealing with unregistered gatherings, and now they promise to respond even more harshly. Is this the start of a new era of repression or just a continuation of old practices?
In any case, if you plan to protest, better have all your paperwork in order because the police won’t make exceptions. And if not, prepare for possible clashes and pressure.
While the authorities claim to protect order and peace, many wonder: whose order and whose peace? The peace of the privileged or the rights of ordinary citizens?
If you have thoughts on this, feel free to share. Maybe your comment will spark a real debate about freedom and justice in Serbia. Or at least make someone laugh with a good joke about the police and protests. Who knows, maybe that’s the only way to survive this madness!
