Sittings · Document
Follow up to the European Parliament non-legislative resolution on Polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, one year after the Novi Sad tragedy
Resolution tabled pursuant to Rule 136(2) and (4) of the European Parliament's Rules of procedure
References: 2025/2917(RSP) / B10-0459/2025 / P10_TA(2025)248
Date of adoption of the resolution: 22 October 2025
Competent Parliamentary Committee: N/A
Brief analysis/ assessment of the resolution and requests made in it:
The resolution addresses the situation in Serbia, one year after the tragedy at Novi Sad railway station, where a canopy collapse killed 16 people. The Parliament expressed concerns about the polarisation and increased repression in Serbia, criticising the slow investigation into the accident, which prompted widespread protests led by students and joined by large parts of the society demanding transparency, accountability for the infrastructural failure, and broader democratic reforms; and which continue more than one year after the tragedy.
The resolution calls for a transparent and independent investigation of the incident, highlighting concerns over China's growing influence in Serbia and its impact on transparency and EU standards. Parliament expressed deep concerns about Serbia's political polarisation, violence against peaceful protesters, civil society representatives, journalists and the opposition, criticising Serbian leadership and undermining of democratic institutions. The resolution also condemns unlawful arrests and expulsions of EU citizens supporting student protests, while calling on political actors, civil society representatives and stakeholders in Serbia to engage in constructive dialogue with the aim of reducing political and social polarisation.
The resolution calls on the EU institutions and Member States to support civil society and peaceful protesters in Serbia, to condition further enlargement support on measurable democratic and rule of law progress, and to step up monitoring and accountability. It also supports the prompt deployment of an ad hoc EU fact-finding mission to Serbia, with the participation of the European Parliament, to assess the situation on the ground.
The Parliament requests the Commission to act or consider action on three paragraphs (23, 26 and 27), namely to closely monitor the implementation of reforms through the EU accession process and the Reform Agenda adopted under the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans; to ensure adequate and accessible funding and effective protection mechanisms for civil society actors; and to launch an initiative for targeted individual sanctions to be imposed against those responsible for serious violations of law and human rights in Serbia, in line with the EU global human rights sanctions regime.
Response to the requests in the resolution and overview of the action taken, or intended to be taken, by the Commission:
The Commission has been following the situation in Serbia very closely and has reacted publicly to the worrying developments in the context of the protests.
It remains the Commission’s priority to support the Serbian people and their EU aspirations. Serbia's EU path offers solutions to many of the issues that are at the heart of the public debate in Serbia. The reforms expected from Serbia during the accession process, if properly implemented, would strengthen the rule of law as well as specifically the electoral framework and media freedom. The Commission will continue to engage 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.
On paragraph 23, the Commission follows closely the implementation of the EU accession-related reforms in Serbia, with a strong focus on the so-called fundamentals, which include democratic criteria and judiciary and fundamental rights. The latest assessment of the developments in these areas and the implementation of the respective reforms by Serbia has been provided in the annual enlargement package, and the report on Serbia published on 4 November 2025. Under the Reform and Growth Facility, financial support will only be disbursed upon the successful implementation of reforms by the beneficiaries and conditional to fulfilment of a set of conditions and pre-conditions, including upholding and respect of democratic mechanisms by the beneficiaries. The Commission is and will continue to actively engage with Serbia in this context.
On paragraph 26, the Commission has continuously been supporting civil society in Serbia. In addition to enhancing the financial assistance to civil society organisations (CSOs), including at the grassroots level, the Commission supports Serbia in protecting democratic values and meeting EU standards. The Commission has conveyed clear messages to the authorities to stop pressure and verbal attacks on CSOs and ensure an environment conducive to the work of CSOs. Numerous public statements have also been made on these matters and the Commission, as well as the EU Delegation locally are in regular contacts with the civil society in Serbia.
On paragraph 29, the Commission has been using a variety of available tools to ensure that human rights in Serbia are respected and that accountability for human rights’ violations is ensured. These tools include regular dialogue with the authorities, the accession process as such, the Commission’s Rule of Law reports, the Reform and Growth Facility, and other EU financial assistance. The Commission will continue to engage with the authorities and stakeholders, passing clear messages at all levels and applying these and other tools at Commission’s disposal, in a manner most conducive to pursue the objective of ensuring the respect and protection of human rights in Serbia.