The non-governmental organization "Freedom House" condemned the repression of protesters against the opening of lithium mines in Serbia, Radio Free Europe reported.
"We condemn the Serbian government's repression and demonization of NGOs and activists during the current environmental protests," wrote Freedom House on the X social network.
The organization added that labelling these actors as foreign agents is consistent with the rhetoric used by non-democratic regimes to demonize civil society and should alarm the democratic community.
Freedom House calls on the Government of Serbia to immediately end the smear campaign.
After a series of environmental protests against Rio Tinto's lithium mining and Yadar project, culminating in the mass protest in Belgrade on August 10, many activists were detained and questioned. On August 22, civil society organizations stated support of the arrested and intimidated activists and stated that "the large number of groundless arrests and detentions of citizens in recent weeks has been accompanied by a propaganda offensive against alleged foreign agents who subvert state order in the interest of enemy countries.
The organizations, 21 in total, said they are demanding that higher authorities stop the persecution and intimidation of citizens who peacefully express their disagreement with some of the government's decisions. | BGNES
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