The Ignored

Listen to Today's Edition:

Thousands of Serbians marched in the streets of the capital Belgrade this week to protest the government’s crackdown on environmental advocates opposed to an ambitious European Union-backed lithium mining project that critics fear would cause severe damage to the environment, the Associated Press reported.

Sunday’s demonstrations took place outside the state RTS television station, with protesters denouncing the institution for ignoring the arrests of dozens of activists opposed to the project.

Environmental groups reported that Serbian authorities have detained a number of their members following big demonstrations across Serbia last month. They complained that authorities searched their homes, and confiscated their laptops and phones. Others faced threats on social media.

Activist Nina Stojanovic told the crowd Sunday that between 30 and 60 people have been detained or questioned over the past two months.

The Balkan country has been gripped by weeks-long protests over a planned lithium mine in the western Jadar Valley, one of Europe’s largest deposits of the valuable mineral that is needed for electric vehicles, according to NPR.

The government emphasized that the mine will help boost Serbia’s economy, but many environmental advocates worry that the project will cause permanent damage to the environment in the area, including drinking water reserves and fertile land.

The controversy has been intensified by the fact that the multinational Rio Tinto mining company will operate the mine. The mining giant has been accused of corruption, environmental degradation and human rights abuses during its 150-year history.

Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vučić has accused protesters of being part of a Western-backed ploy to orchestrate his ousting.

Despite his accusations, Serbia has signed a tentative deal on “critical raw materials” with the EU, as the latter is looking to reduce its reliance on China for lithium and other key materials needed for the green transition.

Vučić has also received support from EU leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz – both of whom visited the country recently.

Serbia is officially pursuing EU membership, but its democratic record remains weak.

The country also maintains strong ties with Russia and China, with analysts suggesting that the new memorandum on mining could bring Serbia closer to alignment with the EU.