Croatia has lodged a diplomatic protest against Serbia following the detention and deportation of five Croatian citizens who were participating in a gathering of civil society organizations in Belgrade. The move has sparked tensions between the neighboring countries, with Croatia demanding an explanation from Serbian authorities.
The incident occurred during a workshop for nongovernmental organizations, where citizens from Romania, Slovenia, Bosnia, and North Macedonia were also reportedly deported without official clarification from Belgrade. Croatian officials have expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the deportations and hinted at issuing a travel warning for Serbia.
Relations between Croatia and Serbia have been strained since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, and this recent episode is likely to further escalate tensions. Croatian activists detained in Serbia claimed they were given no reason for their deportation other than being labeled a security threat.
Meanwhile, Serbia has been embroiled in domestic turmoil, with student protests demanding accountability for a tragic incident in Novi Sad where 15 people lost their lives due to a collapsed concrete canopy. The Serbian government has accused Croatian security services of instigating the protests, a claim that has been refuted by Croatian authorities.
The reported detention and expulsion of foreign activists has drawn condemnation from human rights groups in Serbia, who view it as a sign of increasing repression by the government. President Aleksandar Vucic, who has been criticized for curbing democratic freedoms, is facing mounting pressure from both domestic and international quarters.
As tensions continue to simmer between Croatia and Serbia, the diplomatic fallout from this incident underscores the fragile nature of relations in the Balkan region. The deportation of Croatian citizens has not only strained bilateral ties but also raised concerns about the state of civil liberties and human rights in Serbia.
