Serbian rights activists block bridges, roads | Natural Issues

Environmental groups are outraged by the recent referendum changes and oppose the new land grab, which allows for private land acquisition.

In Serbia there have been clashes between police and protests that have blocked roads and bridges in protest of a new law that says it favors the interests of foreign investors who are harming the environment.

The government has invested heavily in companies, including China’s Zijin copper mine and Rio Tinto, but human rights activists say the project could pollute the soil and water.

Hundreds of people on Saturday rallied in Belgrade, the capital of Novi Sad and other areas to close bridges and highways for an hour, which organizers described as a warning. They promised more protests if the confiscation laws and referendums were not repealed.

Environmentalists and civil society groups are outraged by the recent referendum changes, which are said to undermine popular anti-pollution measures by imposing higher fines. They are also protesting the new land grab, which allows the state to take over private land within eight days.

Proponents of her case have been working to make the actual transcript of this statement available online.

“I am angry because we are an occupied country … I do not know why [other] people are silent, “said Marija Popovic, 35, a Belgrade protester.

Serbian government officials have denied the allegations, saying the new rules are necessary because of illegal activities. President Aleksandar Vucic said a referendum would be held at the Rio Tinto mine.

Experts have warned that the planned lithium mine will damage fields and contaminate water.

Rio Tinto says it will comply with all domestic standards by the European Union in that regard. It plans to invest $ 2.4bn in the project, according to Vesna Prodanovic, chief executive of Rio Sava, Rio Tinto’s sister company in Serbia.

After decades of neglect, Serbia has faced serious environmental problems such as air and water pollution, waste management, and more.

Serbia is a country that wants to join the European Union, but little has been done so far in terms of improving the country’s environment.

Serbia is a country ready to enter the European Union, but little has been achieved so far in order to improve the country’s environment. [Andrej Isakovic/ AFP]