Volker Türk criticizes the lack of investigation into the accident in Novi Sad in November 2024. The tragedy claimed 16 lives and sparked mass protests in Serbia.
United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Wednesday that there was no significant process to uncover the truth and ensure justice for the tragedy in connection with the November 2024 accident in Novi Sad, Serbia. The collapse of a shelter at the railway station in that city claimed 16 lives and sparked mass protests across the country. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
“There has been no meaningful process to uncover the truth and ensure justice for the tragedy that resulted in the death of 16 people at the station in Novi Sad. This is despite the ongoing demands of tens of thousands of people who are taking to the streets to demand justice,” the commissioner said in his statement.
Call for an accident investigation
Türk says authorities have also failed to investigate numerous allegations of violent attacks and arbitrary detention of protesters and journalists during demonstrations, and such incidents continue to recur, he says.
The commissioner is calling for an investigation into the tragic accident, which he considers crucial to restoring public confidence in institutions and upholding the principles of the rule of law. In addition, he also called for an investigation into all alleged arbitrary detentions and unnecessary and excessive use of force by security officers at the protests.
Basic rights in a democracy
“The full exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental to a well-functioning democratic society, and it becomes especially important in a deeply polarized environment,” Türk declared. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of the independence of the courts, which is free from political pressure and is perceived as such.
Serbia is a candidate country to join the European Union, and the European Commission, in Tuesday’s report on the progress of the candidate countries, recommended Serbia to “reduce political interference in the judiciary and prosecutor’s office”, reports AFP.
