Serbian Student Protest Movement Accuses Belgrade of „Betrayal“ Over Demolitions at Lake Gazivode

Serbia’s student protest movement („Students in Blockade“) has accused the Serbian authorities of abandoning Kosovo Serbs following the demolition of the Lake Gazivode Hotel and other structures in northern Kosovo, arguing that the events are part of a broader process of weakening Serbia’s presence in Kosovo. In a strongly worded statement, the group described the developments as a „betrayal“ that, it said, „future generations will remember.“

According to the students, the demolition of family homes, hospitality facilities and what they described as the seizure of Serb-owned apartments in the Gazivode/Ujmani area and Obilić/Obilliq should not be viewed as isolated incidents, but rather as part of what they called a long-term process of systematically pushing the Serbian community out of Kosovo.

The group described the Gazivode/Ujmani area as strategically important, noting that the lake represents one of Serbia’s most significant water resources.

The statement also criticised Serbia’s policy towards Kosovo, arguing that while citizens had for years been assured that the country would not „give up“ Kosovo, developments on the ground had moved in the opposite direction.

The students cited the Brussels Agreement, the Ohrid Agreement and other political arrangements as milestones in what they described as the gradual withdrawal of Serbian state institutions from Kosovo, while, according to their claims, Pristina’s institutions steadily expanded their authority.

They further argued that the September 2023 armed incident in Banjska marked a turning point after which, in their view, the position of Kosovo Serbs deteriorated further. According to the statement, the political and international consequences of those events created conditions in which unilateral moves by Pristina became more frequent, while Serbia’s room for an effective response narrowed considerably.

„Kosovo Serbs Must Not Be Viewed Through Political Divisions“

The movement also called for the situation of Kosovo Serbs to be viewed beyond political or ideological divisions.

„Kosovo Serbs must not be viewed through the prism of political or ideological differences. Many families continue to live in extremely difficult circumstances, facing daily pressure and existential uncertainty. Their position should be a matter of national responsibility and solidarity, not political divisions,“ the statement says.

Criticism Over the Demolition of the Lake Gazivode Hotel

Referring to the demolition of the Lake Gazivode Hotel, the students criticised Serbia’s leadership, saying that while Serb families in northern Kosovo were losing their property, political celebrations were taking place in Belgrade.

„While the public watched another Serb lose his property, government officials in Belgrade celebrated with brass bands and banquets,“ the statement reads.

The students concluded their statement by expressing support for Kosovo Serbs, saying that their struggle was not only about protecting their homes and property, but also about preserving what they described as Serbia’s constitutional order, historical continuity and national identity.

„Our support remains with the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, who, despite daily pressures, continue to remain in their ancestral homes and preserve what represents not only a part of the territory of the Republic of Serbia, but also the foundation of its constitutional order, historical continuity and national identity,“ the statement says.

„Future Generations Will Remember“

The statement ends with a sharply worded accusation directed at the Serbian authorities.

„Such a betrayal will remain recorded in history. Future generations will remember those who betrayed their nation,“ it concludes.

The statement was issued a day after workers of the public utility company Ibar-Lepenac, assisted by the Kosovo Police, demolished the Lake Gazivode Hotel. The demolition prompted reactions from the property’s owners, civil society organisations, political representatives and officials in both Belgrade and Pristina. Kosovo authorities have said that 17 structures have so far been removed in the Gazivode area.