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14:51 POLITICS

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Incident in Novi Sad, Serbia/ UN criticizes lack of accountability for the event

2025-11-05 15:11:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United Nations has criticized the lack of accountability over the collapse of a concrete shelter at a railway station in Novi Sad, Serbia, a year after the tragedy that sparked mass protests.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for renewed efforts to investigate responsibility for the incident, arguing that this is essential to restore public trust in institutions and respect for the rule of law.

"There has been no meaningful process to uncover the truth and seek justice for the tragedy that resulted in the deaths of 16 people at the Novi Sad railway station. This, despite continued demands from tens of thousands of people who have taken to the streets demanding justice," Turk said in a statement.

"Furthermore, many allegations of violent attacks and arbitrary arrests of peaceful protesters and journalists during demonstrations have not been investigated and remain unpunished. On the contrary, such incidents continue to occur," he added.

On Saturday, more than 100,000 Serbs marked the first anniversary of the incident in Novi Sad, which shook the Western Balkan country.

A few weeks after the building was renovated, the concrete shelter at the railway station collapsed on November 1, 2024, an accident that critics described as a symbol of corruption in Serbia, which subsequently led to the downfall of the government.

In Saturday's protests, protesters demanded new elections.

The mother of one of the accident victims has been on a hunger strike in front of the Serbian Parliament since Sunday, and hundreds of people are coming to visit her and offer support.

Turk called for an immediate, transparent, independent and effective investigation into the accident, as proceedings against those suspected of responsibility have stalled, the statement said.

He also called for similar investigations into all allegations of arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force by police during the protests.

"Respect for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental to the functioning of a democratic society and become particularly vital in a deeply polarized environment," Turk said.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed the importance of the independence of the judiciary, free from political pressure.

"This is the only way to maintain people's trust in the rule of law," he said.

Serbia is a candidate country for membership in the European Union and through the Progress Report published on Tuesday, the European Commission recommended that Belgrade "reduce political interference in the judiciary and prosecution." /REL