Speaking at the “Pop Loves Democracy” summit on 5 November, before one of the most important institutions of European democracy, Kovačević outlined the many problems facing all social actors who supported the student protests in the country.
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Kovačević reminded attendees that the current situation in Serbia is directly linked to the tragedy that shook Novi Sad a year ago and sparked mass student and civic protests nationwide. He noted that soon after the protests began, a fierce crackdown followed against artists and cultural organizations that supported the students’ fight against corruption.
“Blacklists were drawn up of all artists and organizations that supported the students, cultural projects were stopped, actors lost roles, and musicians who stood with the protests are being forbidden from playing anywhere in the country“, Kovačević said, stressing that this “has brought the entire creative and culture scene of Serbia to the brink of extinction.“
He warned that repression in Serbia extends far beyond culture: “Universities are being cracked down on, leading scientific institutions dismantled, just because they supported the students or they refuse to fulfil a quota and send PhD university professors to the government rallies.” He also highlighted the case of a female student whose jaw was broken in Novi Sad earlier this year, pointing out that the perpetrators were pardoned while numerous students remain in detention, and drew attention to Dijana Hrka, who is on hunger strike in front of the National Assembly of Serbia, seeking justice for her son’s death.
Kovačević informed MEPs that he had received threats from local officials of Serbia’s Security Information Agency (BIA), who told him they would “turn the entire agency” against him if EXIT continued to support the protests. “We, of course, continue to support the students and that’s why, despite the fact that we brought over €300 million to the country’s tourism and promotion that is considered as priceless, it is not possible for EXIT to happen in our country next year,” he said, adding: “By standing here today, I’m taking a huge personal risk, but I know that these words are the best lesson I can give to my kids, and I know that is the best thing I can do for them and all kids in Serbia.“
He called on the European Union to uphold in Serbia the basic democratic principles it publicly champions, stating that “if Europe turns its back on Serbia, it will turn its back upon the very foundations of freedom, justice, and human dignity on which it was built.“
The summit was chaired by Members of the European Parliament Hannes Heide (Austria) and Bogdan Zdrojewski (Poland), with the support of key European cultural institutions.
