White roses from Vienna to Novi Sad: Standing in solidarity with the students, people and journalists of Serbia

AEJ joined the symbolic action ahead of the first anniversary of the fatal incident in Novi Sad (1st of November) and in support of the journalists facing relentless attacks in Serbia.

The topic of fragile media freedom not only in Serbia but across many countries was also discussed during the meeting of the partner organizations to the Council of Europe's Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists with the Representative on Freedom of the Media, Ambassador Jan Braathu who said: " The media freedom is under attack but the ceiling is not yet fallen apart"

The action took place during the meeting in Vienna of the partners organizations that consult the Platform for the Safety of journalism to the Council of Europe and coincided with the 75th Congress of the International Press Institute.

Here is the statement of the Partners.

On 1 Novemberlast year, sixteen people were killed when the Novi Sad canopy railway collapsed. This tragedy sparked nationwide protests against government corruption that continue to this day.

While Serbian prosecutors have eventually filed indictments against thirteen individuals in relation to the collapse, protesters demanding justice, and journalists reporting on the protests and the response by authorities continue to face severe violence and repression, mostly at the hands of public officials and law enforcement.

In the lead-up to the first anniversary of this fatal incident, we, the partners of the Council of Europe's Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists, gathered by the Danube in Vienna to throw sixteen white flowers into the river, one for each victim.

This symbolic act, held during the Platform's annual meeting and the International Press Institute's World Congress in Vienna, echoes a similar moment carried out in Novi Sad last April during the Media Freedom Rapid Response solidarity mission.

By releasing these flowers into the same river that flows through Serbia, each partner organisation pays tribute to the victims and stands in full solidarity with their families and all those pursuing justice. At the same time, we reiterate our unwavering support to all journalists, including journalism students, who continue to bravely report despite relentless pressure and intimidation for doing so.

Across the Danube, we remember.

Signed by

European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

Association of European Journalists (AEJ)

Index on Censorship

International Press Institute (IPI)

PEN International

International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)

Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

ARTICLE 19 Europe

Osservatorio Balcani Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)

Irina Nedeva