Court in Europe urges Serbia to halt sonic weapon utilization following protesters' complaints during demonstration.
Statement from the European Court:
In light of recent events during an anti-government rally in Belgrade, Serbia, the European Court of Human Rights issued an interim measure on Wednesday, urging the country to "preclude the employment of sonic weapons or similar devices" during future protests [1]. This directive came after claims that such a weapon was utilized against protesters during the March 15 demonstration, part of a months-long anti-corruption movement in the Balkan country [2].
However, it's essential to note that the court's decision does not signify any judgment on whether such weapons were employed during the March rally [2]. Many Serbian nationals have filed complaints related to the incident, with an estimated 4,000 individuals recording their experiences in a civil society group's application [2].
Despite repeated denials by Serbian authorities and opposition party allegations, evidence suggests that they do indeed possess sonic devices [2]. The supposed consequences for those who publicly asserted the implementation of such a device were unwarranted, as the court rejected requests to investigate the incident or halt legal proceedings [2].
The European court's statement outlines alarming symptoms experienced by protesters, including intense fear, panic, and physical harm [2]. Footage from the rally reveals people standing peacefully before suddenly panicking and causing a brief stampede [2].
The court further stresses that the utilization of sonic weapons for crowd control is both illegal in Serbia and potentially damaging to public health [2]. It calls on the state to ensure the prevention of such weapons' use at future protests by both state and non-state actors [2].
The protests in Serbia originated from a train station canopy collapse in Novi Sad, leading to the deaths of 16 individuals [5]. Many in Serbia attribute the tragedy to government corruption that fostered disregard for safety regulations and negligence during the station renovation [5].
This tragic event marked the beginning of a nationwide movement demanding justice for the victims and the upholding of the rule of law in Serbia, a Balkan nation pursuing EU membership [5]. Despite this movement's democratic aspirations, Serbia's populist President Aleksandar Vucic has been accused of curtailing democratic freedoms while strengthening ties with Russia and China [5].
The European court's emphasis on the potential damage to public health highlights the controversial use of sonic weapons in general-news events such as political protests. Meanwhile, media outlets have been actively reporting on the health implications resulting from the alleged deployment of such devices during anti-government rallies in Serbia.
