Deportation of Foreign Citizens Is an Unacceptable Violation of Human Rights and a Serious Threat to Serbia’s European Perspective

The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) strongly condemns the repressive measures taken by Serbian authorities against Serbian and foreign citizens who participate in or support student and civic protests. We particularly highlight the unjustified and legally unfounded deportations of foreign citizens, some of whom hold valid long-term residence permits in Serbia.

These practices constitute a grave violation of fundamental human rights and are directly contrary to the commitments Serbia has undertaken within the framework of the European integration process, especially in Chapters 23 and 24, as well as international conventions that guarantee freedom of expression and assembly.

The NCEU calls on the relevant institutions to immediately cease all forms of repression, intimidation, and violations of citizens’ rights, including the annulment of all unlawful decisions regarding entry bans and deportations, and to ensure legal certainty and transparency in the treatment of foreign citizens.

The European integration process cannot be credible if the fundaments of the rule of law are being undermined in practice and if institutions are used to target dissenters. Similar past practices toward foreign citizens have already had a negative impact on Serbia’s economic and international cooperation. Therefore, their continued application is not only a matter of human rights but a fundamental political choice regarding the future of Serbia’s path toward the European Union.