Slovenian students honor Serbia tragedy with road blockade

Slovenian students honor Serbia tragedy with road blockade

Politics

Several dozen protesters filled a busy intersection near the Ljubljana Faculty of Arts, blocking traffic for 16 minutes to commemorate the victims of the tragedy that sparked student protests in Serbia in a show of solidarity with Serbian students and their demands.

Organised by students of the University of Ljubljana, the protest unfolded at the intersection of Aškerčeva and Slovenska roads, which was chosen because of its proximity to several faculties and schools. The student protests in the 1960s were held in the same location, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

"It is time to line up at this historic crossroads, choose the right direction and continue the path towards justice, freedom and dignity for all," the protest organisers wrote on social media.

They decided to organise the rally because none of the demands of the protesters in Serbia have been met and because systemic repression and violation of human rights were on the rise around the world.

The Serbian student protests were provoked by the collapse of a concrete canopy of the main railway station in Novi Sad, north Serbia, in November last year, which killed 16 people. Students in Ljubljana blocked the intersection silently for 16 minutes to commemorate the victims.

The police said the protest had not been registered and the organisers did not take security measures, such as organising a policing service or obtaining a permit for a road closure. In such cases public order is maintained by the police.

In the past few months several protests were held in Ljubljana and Maribor in solidarity with Serbian students as well was in response to Ljubljana Mayor Zoran Janković expressing his support for Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.

Tags

Related articles

Sandu Backs Ukraine at Recovery Forum
President Maia Sandu took part in the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, co-hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Albania, Bulgaria Deepen Ties and Back EU Path
Albanian Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali paid an official two-day visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of her counterpart, Nataliya Kiselova.
Greece Backs Suspension of African Asylum Claims
Greece’s Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis defended a government amendment temporarily suspending asylum applications from African migrants during Thursday’s parliamentary debate, stating it is constitutional and aligned with international and European law.
EU Pledges €10B for Ukraine
At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on Thursday, the European Union pledged enhanced political and financial support for Ukraine, unveiling initiatives expected to mobilize up to €10 billion ($11.7 billion) in new investments for the country’s reconstruction.
Grosu Reflects on Parliament's Term
Moldova’s Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu delivered a farewell speech marking the end of the current legislature’s four-year term, highlighting the body’s achievements amid a period he described as “full of challenges.”
Greece Toughens Migration Policy
Greece will no longer tolerate the daily arrival of thousands of migrants in small boats from North Africa, Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris said on Thursday.
Merz Urges Slovakia to Back Russia Sanctions
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday called on Slovakia to lift its veto on the EU’s proposed 18th sanctions package against Russia.
Greece Backs Ukraine at Recovery Conference
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on Thursday, stressed the importance of solidarity in defending shared values.
Israel Eases Gaza Aid After EU Talks
Israel has agreed to a set of urgent humanitarian measures aimed at easing the crisis in the Gaza Strip, following what the EU described as “constructive dialogue” between the two sides, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced Thursday.
Romania Bans Chisinau Mayor Over Kremlin Ties
Romania has issued a five-year entry ban on Chisinau Mayor Ion Ceban, sparking sharp political reactions in Moldova.
EU Backs Greece on Asylum Pause
The European Commission is aware of Greece's plan to suspend processing asylum applications from boat arrivals originating in North Africa, Commission migration spokesperson Markus Lammert said Friday.
Dan Joins Ukraine Talks
President Nicușor Dan is taking part in a virtual meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" on Thursday, organized by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss continued support for Ukraine, the Presidential Administration announced.