Novosad opposition walks out after hate-speech condemnation rejected

Opposition councillors in Novi Sad left the city assembly on Monday, September 7, after the governing majority refused to place a declaration condemning hate speech and the targeting of political opponents on the agenda.

The opposition said the refusal showed that the majority did not want to distance itself from a dangerous narrative in which citizens with different views are labelled “Ustaše” and enemies. It linked the proposed declaration to remarks by Serbian Progressive Party councillor Cvija Vasić at the previous session. She told opposition councillors, “You will not succeed. You have killed enough Serbs.”

“

You will not succeed. You have killed enough Serbs.

The opposition also said assembly president Dina Vučinić failed to issue Vasić even a warning, despite repeated requests from opposition councillors. “This effectively means that hate speech has been tolerated in the highest representative body of the citizens of Novi Sad,” the opposition said, adding that the assembly must not become a place where hatred is normalised and political opponents are declared enemies.

During the same session, councillors from the governing coalition, acting on a proposal from Serbian Progressive Party councillor Nedeljko Klisurić, observed a minute of silence for Ratko Mladić, the former commander of the Army of Republika Srpska who was convicted of war crimes. Opposition councillors then left the chamber and did not take part in the session.

“

This effectively means that hate speech has been tolerated in the highest representative body of the citizens of Novi Sad.