In May 2025, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers sent a formal communication to the Government of Serbia raising concerns about public pressure and interference affecting prosecutors and judicial officials in connection with the investigation into the alleged use of a sonic or acoustic weapon during the peaceful protest held in Belgrade on 15 March 2025. The communication builds on earlier UN concerns expressed in relation to the same protest and focuses specifically on risks to judicial independence.
According to the information received by the Special Rapporteur, the protest on 15 March 2025 was among the largest in Serbia’s history and followed months of public demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. During the protest, participants reported experiencing a sudden and powerful sonic airwave that caused panic, injuries, and serious physical and psychological symptoms. Allegations quickly emerged that an unregulated sound-based crowd-control device may have been used.
The communication describes a series of public statements by senior political officials, including the President of the Republic, made in the immediate aftermath of the protest. According to the information cited, these statements denied the use of such a weapon while simultaneously calling for the prosecution of individuals who publicly claimed they had been affected by the alleged sonic attack. The Special Rapporteur notes reports suggesting that such statements may have prejudged the outcome of investigations, placed pressure on prosecutorial authorities, and encouraged investigations targeting victims and critics rather than focusing on establishing the facts surrounding the incident.
The communication further highlights concerns about instrumentalization of the prosecution service and the chilling effect of public threats and disparagement directed at justice officials. It refers to reports that prosecutors and judges faced intimidation, public criticism, and warnings of replacement if they failed to act in line with political expectations. In this context, the Special Rapporteur notes that more than 600 judges and prosecutors reportedly signed a public statement denouncing political interference and warning of the continued subjugation of the judiciary — an exceptionally rare occurrence in Serbia’s judicial system.
Without prejudging the accuracy of the allegations, the Special Rapporteur expresses serious concern that sustained political pressure, public vilification, and threats against justice officials risk undermining prosecutorial independence and the impartial administration of justice. The communication recalls international human rights standards requiring that judges and prosecutors be able to perform their professional duties free from intimidation, harassment, or improper interference, and warns that public interference by members of the executive may erode public trust in the judiciary and weaken the rule of law.
The Special Rapporteur requests detailed information from the Serbian authorities on steps taken to ensure the independence of prosecutors and judges, the status of investigations related to the 15 March protest, and the legal and institutional safeguards in place to protect justice officials from political pressure. The communication emphasizes that ensuring judicial independence is a core obligation under international human rights law and a prerequisite for accountability in cases involving allegations of serious human rights violations.
Signatory
Margaret Satterthwaite,
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
According to the information received by the Special Rapporteur, the protest on 15 March 2025 was among the largest in Serbia’s history and followed months of public demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. During the protest, participants reported experiencing a sudden and powerful sonic airwave that caused panic, injuries, and serious physical and psychological symptoms. Allegations quickly emerged that an unregulated sound-based crowd-control device may have been used.
The communication describes a series of public statements by senior political officials, including the President of the Republic, made in the immediate aftermath of the protest. According to the information cited, these statements denied the use of such a weapon while simultaneously calling for the prosecution of individuals who publicly claimed they had been affected by the alleged sonic attack. The Special Rapporteur notes reports suggesting that such statements may have prejudged the outcome of investigations, placed pressure on prosecutorial authorities, and encouraged investigations targeting victims and critics rather than focusing on establishing the facts surrounding the incident.
The communication further highlights concerns about instrumentalization of the prosecution service and the chilling effect of public threats and disparagement directed at justice officials. It refers to reports that prosecutors and judges faced intimidation, public criticism, and warnings of replacement if they failed to act in line with political expectations. In this context, the Special Rapporteur notes that more than 600 judges and prosecutors reportedly signed a public statement denouncing political interference and warning of the continued subjugation of the judiciary — an exceptionally rare occurrence in Serbia’s judicial system.
Without prejudging the accuracy of the allegations, the Special Rapporteur expresses serious concern that sustained political pressure, public vilification, and threats against justice officials risk undermining prosecutorial independence and the impartial administration of justice. The communication recalls international human rights standards requiring that judges and prosecutors be able to perform their professional duties free from intimidation, harassment, or improper interference, and warns that public interference by members of the executive may erode public trust in the judiciary and weaken the rule of law.
The Special Rapporteur requests detailed information from the Serbian authorities on steps taken to ensure the independence of prosecutors and judges, the status of investigations related to the 15 March protest, and the legal and institutional safeguards in place to protect justice officials from political pressure. The communication emphasizes that ensuring judicial independence is a core obligation under international human rights law and a prerequisite for accountability in cases involving allegations of serious human rights violations.
Signatory
Margaret Satterthwaite,
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
