BLACK mobile logo

international

When grief gets political: weaponizing tragedy against youth and free expression in North Macedonia and Serbia

July 16, 2025

Two recent tragedies in the Western Balkans—a nightclub fire in North Macedonia that killed 62 people and a train station canopy collapse in Serbia that killed 16—have sparked widespread student-led protests demanding institutional accountability and reform. In both countries, authorities have attempted to delegitimize these demonstrations by labeling them as "politically motivated" while employing intimidation tactics against participants and using pro-government media to discredit the movement. Despite these challenges, young protesters have demonstrated remarkable resilience and political engagement, contradicting stereotypes about youth apathy in the region and maintaining pressure for transparency, justice, and systemic change in governance structures plagued by corruption and regulatory negligence.

Who is affected

  • Families of the 62 victims of the Kočani nightclub fire in North Macedonia
  • Families of the 16 victims of the Novi Sad Train Station canopy collapse in Serbia
  • Students and young protesters in both countries
  • Individual protesters targeted by intimidation campaigns and media smears
  • Citizens experiencing self-censorship due to fear of reprisal
  • The broader public in both countries affected by systemic corruption and safety failures

What action is being taken

  • Students are organizing ongoing protests in Skopje, Belgrade, and other cities
  • Protesters are using banners with messages like "We're not dying in accidents — we're dying from corruption"
  • Pro-government media outlets are publishing opinion pieces and articles discrediting the protests
  • Authorities are labeling the protests as "politically motivated" to undermine their legitimacy
  • The Instagram page "Detektor Smeća" in Serbia is publishing names and photos of protesting students
  • Government officials are using intimidation tactics to create a climate of fear among potential protesters

Why it matters

  • The tragedies highlight deep-seated political and institutional failures in both countries
  • The protests represent youth resistance against systemic corruption and governmental negligence
  • The demonstrations challenge the stereotype that young people in the region are politically disengaged
  • The government response reveals authoritarian tactics used to suppress legitimate grievances
  • The protests call attention to fundamental issues of public safety and accountability
  • The movement demonstrates a generational shift in political engagement and understanding

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices