During the study trip, we presented our initiative at an evening discussion. After Otto had spoken about the initiative “Believers for Peace”, we developed the key themes of our discussion based on the core concepts of the conference in Omiš – spirituality, will and courage. The discussion lasted considerably longer than planned and highlighted just how great the current interest is in issues of non-violence, social responsibility and democratic resistance. The stay in Belgrade was very important for us, not least to experience the current situation in Europe’s largest non-violent resistance movement. I am writing these lines to inform, but also with the aim of motivating others to support this movement.
It is admirable that the morale and courage to resist have not waned. The protests, which have been ongoing since November 2024 – that is, for a year and a half – have not been silenced. Despite the repression, despite the ruling authorities’ attempts to create confusion among the public by imitating the actions. The tactic of imitation is currently being employed: the students have launched their latest campaign under the slogan “THE STUDENTS WILL WIN”. The government-led counter-campaign is called “Serbia Wins”.
The slogan “Students will win” can be found everywhere in Belgrade in the form of stickers – on the streets, on road signs, in restaurants, on walls and on doors. The message “Students will win” is so powerful; it is encouraging. It inspires the hope that the people of Belgrade we met radiate. The protest cannot be silenced.
Belgrade University stands behind the students. This is evident on the streets of Belgrade. Despite the counter-protests organised by the government, known as Ćaciland. In the city centre are the University Rectorate and the Faculty of Philosophy. They are covered in posters of support, such as ‘IT IS NOT PHILOSOPHICAL to remain silent’. At the University Rectorate, one can read: WE SUPPORT THE STUDENTS.
Most touching of all is a large poster visible on one of the streets in the city centre: “STUDENTS, THANK YOU”.
The repression is insidious, but it shows no sign of abating. Recently, a car once again drove into the crowd of protesters and struck an elderly man. He is out of danger.
A month ago, at the end of March, the Faculty of Philosophy was searched by the police. The reason was the death of a student, which occurred at the university but was not directly linked to the protests. The director was inside the faculty buildings whilst the police were searching them. During the search, which lasted ten hours, he wrote a speech. That evening, he then addressed the assembled citizens. What I found remarkable was that, on several occasions in the video recording, you can hear how some of those gathered wanted to listen; the speech was important to them. “Be quiet so we can hear what he’s saying,” someone would say again and again. It is not so common for the content of a speech to be given so much attention during protests. And the speech was worth listening to. It ended with the sentence: “Nije u zlobi, u znanju je moć” – Power lies not in envy, but in knowledge.
Six students were recently brought before the court. The charges are: treason, threatening the state. They all arrived in their national costumes. This attire sends a powerful message: it is not we who have endangered the state, but you who are putting the people on trial.
The resistance in Serbia, the largest in Europe, continues. The focus is on the general election. No one knows when it will take place; hopes are pinned on late 2026, perhaps spring 2027.
The local elections held a month ago show that there have never been so many votes against the ruling party, nor have so many people turned out to vote. The results of the latest elections in Hungary give us hope that we can actually do something to counter electoral manipulation and fraud.
Academic institutions, as well as the teaching profession – in other words, the education sector – have shouldered the greatest burden of support. They have also suffered the most sanctions (wage cuts or dismissals in the already precarious position of teachers in Serbia). On the other hand, public respect for the university, for professors and for teachers has grown. They have received the recognition of the citizens.
The political structures (governments, parties, even the media) provide too little support for the non-violent movement in Serbia. That is a disgrace. For my country too. Europe seems to be more committed to the violence of war than to non-violence. But we can do what we can, and stand up wherever our influence reaches. We can pass on the news and information about the resistance in Serbia. We can inform ourselves and also inform others. If we have access to local or national decision-makers, we can raise the issue.
Where you have access to national political structures or EU institutions, we can hold them to account and support the efforts of Serbia’s citizens to achieve greater democracy.
Ana Raffai,
Sesvete, 19 May 2026
