Serbian student campaigners face harassment and police sanctions across Republika Srpska

During an event near the historic bridge in Visegrad, several men confronted the student group. One individual confiscated their banner, while another questioned them regarding their political platform and their views on convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic, prompting police intervention.

In Brcko, local police initiated misdemeanor proceedings against two Serbian nationals after they set up an informational stand and distributed promotional literature at Trje Mladih. Police stated that the organizers failed to submit a mandatory notification under Article 11 of the Law on Peaceful Assembly. Due to the foreign citizenship of the organizers, expedited misdemeanor proceedings were launched before the Basic Court of Brcko District. Police noted that the gathering was neither prevented nor dissolved, and officers remained on site to maintain public order. A similar police check occurred in Doboj.

The Banja Luka Human Rights House issued a statement condemning both the violent incidents in Visegrad and the police actions in Brcko District and Doboj. The organization expressed deep concern over public threats and online harassment directed at the students following statements published by an association, warning that such actions undermine fundamental freedoms of movement, assembly, and expression.

The student initiative, organized under the campaign "Student u svakom selu" (A Student in Every Village), launched its election caravan in Bijeljina and plans to visit additional cities across Republika Srpska and Brcko District in the coming days.