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Location: Home > Serbian Case > NV Conflict in Serbia
10 YEARS OF NON-VIOLENT CONFLICT
IN SERBIA
"The violence is the last sanctuary for the weak" - J.L. Borges, cited by OTPOR activists during their arrestments
Strategic Nonviolent Conflict in Serbia, which resulted in victory of pro democratic movement lasted for more than ten years. During that period, Milosevic was successful in staying in power, and survived many outside attempts to be removed, mainly relying on his own sources of power, and conflicts and mistakes of Serbian pro democratic movement.
To understand the substance of strategic nonviolent conflict in Serbia, read this first:
 CANVAS total analysis of Serbian conflict Substance.
Overview on 10 years long conflict in Serbia:
May 14, 1989
First independent radio station "Youth Radio - B92" founded in Belgrade.
March 8, 1990
First release of "Demokartija" (Democracy) newspaper - official bulletin of the Serbian opposition.
June 13, 1990
First anti-governmental protests in front of National TV building, Famous Serbian writer and one of the founders of Democratic Party, mr Borislav Pekic injured in police violence against the protesters.
August 1990
First (and the last) meeting of the representatives of parliamentary groups coming from all 6 Republics of former Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, initiated by Serbian opposition parties, in order to offer a nonviolent solution for increasing hostility among Balkan Nations, held in Bosnian capital Sarajevo with no result.
March 9, 1991
First opposition demonstrations occurred in Belgrade public square, led by Serbian Renewal Movement and Democratic party, protesters demanded for immediate liberation of RTS (National TV station) and fair elections. Police forces responded violently. One of the protesters and a policeman have lost their lives in the street conflicts.
Country's establishment urged for a military intervention. Late in the evening the army has "restored the order" in the streets of country's capital Belgrade.
March 10th, 1991
Nonviolent protest of Belgrade students at Terazije Square. More than 10,000 students performed a "nonviolent occupation" led by "Terazije Students' Parliament". They have blocked the central streets of Belgrade with 24 hours sit in and had not moved until the army has been withdrawn from the streets of national capital.
February 1992
Large petition appealing for withdrawal of Slobodan Milosevic, was signed by more than 500,000 Serbian citizens. Milosevic did not even comment it.
Spring 1992
Massive student protest started at Belgrade University, spreading on Campuses in Novi Sad, Nis and Kragujevac. Student demanding for University independence and democratisation of Serbia proclaimed "free territory" on Belgrade's Students' Square, city area with 11 University buildings. Major opposition parties joined with their own protest, which is finished unsuccessfully at the beginning of the July.
May 1992
Federal and local elections boycotted by Serbian opposition parties, claiming for free electoral and media conditions.
May 31 1992
Security council of the United nations decided on economic embargo against Serbia , for participating in Balkans military conflicts.
June 28, 1992
More than 100,000 people led by opposition parties organized two weeks long demonstration in front of the Federal Parliament building ("Vidovdanski Sabor") increasing pressure for better electoral conditions.
Autumn 1992
Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic accommodated to pressure, organizing the series of negotiations with opposition leaders, and finally called for an early elections.
December 19, 1992
At the early Parliamentary and local elections the opposition won for the first time majority of the local parliaments' seats in 11 municipalities, including parts of Belgrade. Milosevic's Socialist Party won the majority in Serbian Parliament tough.
June 2, 1993
After a violent incident among the MPs of the Serbian ruling party ally, Branislav Vakic, and one of the opposition leaders, Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO) organized overnight protest, trying to block the Parliament's building, and support their injured MP. After a violent conflict with the police at the entrance to the Parliament, a policeman was shot, and died the same night. Hours later, police broke inside Serbian Renewal Movement premises, arresting and beating their leader Vuk Draskovic.
late June 1993
Under increasing pressure of the opposition parties and public Milosevic decided to release Draskovic from prison.
December 1993
Milosevic's socialist party lost its parliamentary majority on early elections. In contrast to the will of voters, after shorter crisis, Milosevic re-established government with minor opposition party - New Democracy (ND).
March 9th 1996
Two major opposition parties, Serbian Renewal Movement and Democratic party supported by Civic alliance of Serbia formed broad based coalition "Together" ("Zajedno"). Coalition announcement was made on a huge rally, organized to mark the 5th anniversary of the first opposition demonstration in Serbia.
November 1996
On November 17, with a NATO force in Bosnia, elections are held for the Yugoslav National Parliament. The opposition coalition, Zajedno ("Together") wins in 32 municipalities, including Belgrade. On November 20 the Electoral Commission calls for a recount in most of the areas won by the opposition. On November 25 Milosevic annuls the election results, prompting massive demonstrations, mostly nonviolent. On November 27 Milosevic holds a new election, boycotted by the opposition. The protests grow in size.
December 1996
As hundreds of thousands demonstrate, Milosevic invites international review of the election results. On December 27, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe tells Serbia to reinstate the winners of the original elections or face international isolation.
January 1997
Beleaguered by unremitting opposition in the streets, Milosevic concedes defeat in the city of Nis, but opposition leaders vow to continue demonstrations until all election results are honoured. On January 14, electoral commissions in Belgrade and elsewhere call for further seating of elected representatives.
February 1997
On February 4, Milosevic announces he will restore the opposition's victories in the November 17 elections. Demonstrations continue, with protestors demanding election reform and freedom for the media.
July 1997
Constitutionally barred from serving another term as president of Serbia, Milosevic is elected president of Yugoslavia.
December 1997
In a contested election, Milosevic ally Milan Milutinovic is declared the winner of a five-year term as president of Serbia.
August, 1998
After months of fighting, Milosevic's troops defeat the Kosovo Liberation Army, which has been trying to win Kosovo's independence. International attention has been focused on the rebellion.
October 1998
A Kosovo cease-fire is signed. The United Nations Security Council threatens air strikes if Milosevic does not withdraw his troops. Once the threat passes, Yugoslav troops reenter Kosovo. The violence resumes. In early October in Belgrade, some dozen university students form a new organization called Otpor ("resistance"). Initially they work for repeal of laws putting the University under Socialist political control and imposing restrictions on the media. Toward the end of the month four Otpor members are arrested for spray-painting their symbol, a clenched fist, on walls in Belgrade.
March 1999
After diplomatic efforts fail, NATO launches a series of attacks against military and industrial targets in Serbia and Kosovo. Milosevic refuses to yield.
May 1999
On May 24 the UN War Crimes Tribunal indicts Milosevic on charges of crimes against humanity.
June 1999
Under an agreement brokered by Russia, Serbia withdraws troops from Kosovo in return for an end to NATO bombing. Anti-government protests resume.
August 1999
Following months of protest demonstrations, Otpor holds a "birthday party" for Milosevic in Nis, accepting such gifts as prison coveralls and a one-way ticket to The Hague.
September 1999
Protests continue as the Serbian economy deteriorates further and in spite of a government propaganda initiative to rebuild Serbia. September 21 sees the beginning of rallies in 20 cities urging Milosevic to resign. At the same time, the opposition begins to fragment, and the number of demonstrators dwindles. On September 29 and 30, the police and army use force to break up separate demonstrations.
October 1999
On October 2, police block some 7,000 demonstrators marching to a city hospital to see those who were wounded in previous demonstrations. An opposition leader, Zoran Djindjic, vows rallies will continue through mid-October. On October 3, Serbian Renewal Movement leader Vuk Draskovic is injured in an automobile accident that kills his brother. He blames the incident on Milosevic's security forces. On October 14 the fractious opposition unites to demand early elections.
November 1999
Milosevic allies pass a law curbing authority of opposition municipal governments in areas where demonstrations have taken place. On November 22, Otpor holds a rock concert followed by speeches.
January 2000
Otpor organizes an enormous rally on Orthodox New Year's Eve (January 13) highlighting Serbian misery under a decade of Milosevic. Opposition politicians speak. All call for early elections.
On January 21 Milosevic moves against the independent press, fining the Belgrade newspaper Danas 310,000 dinars.
March 2000
Press and media oppression continue; newspapers are fined 202 million dinars, and a television station in Belgrade is temporarily pulled off the air and then harassed with lawsuits. Otpor activists in 20 towns are arrested and interrogated, and sometimes beaten. Nonetheless, 60,000 anti-Milosevic posters are put up in 67 towns and cities.
April 2000
Media outlets are levied increasingly heavy fines, and one of the infractions is coverage of Otpor activity. 100,000 people mass in Belgrade to demand early elections to depose Milosevic, and the two primary opposition leaders appear together for the first time since 1997.
May 2000
With the government on the offensive, 18 Serb political parties unite to form a coalition, the "Democratic Opposition of Serbia," or DOS. Tensions mount with the assassination of a Milosevic ally on May 13. The government blames the killing on the opposition and Otpor. That same day Otpor organizes a "surrender action," turning their membership lists over to police throughout the country. The government accelerates its repression, arresting activists and taking off the air two independent television and radio stations. 20,000 people demonstrate for days.
Otpor attempts to register as a political organization, citing opposition incompetence; the application is rejected.
On May 27 the opposition parties come together for a rally, and on May 29 the government issues a statement blaming all unrest on pressures from international media outlets under NATO control and the activities of an internal fifth column. ("Internal fifth column" was an expression often used by Milosevic and his propaganda apparatus, which characterized his enemies as traitors, NATO traitors, enemies of the state paid by NATO, etc.)
July 2000
On July 17 Otpor members hold a demonstration to dramatize high food prices and enact a parody of official government news. Milosevic, having pushed through Parliament a constitutional amendment that will allow him two more terms as president, announces early elections scheduled for September 24.
August 2000
As elections approach, Otpor launches an anti-Milosevic campaign with the slogan, "He's Finished!" It appears everywhere. On August 8, Milosevic's birthday, Otpor displays giant satirical birthday cards in town squares throughout Serbia.
September 2000
Otpor headquarters are raided and materials seized. In an atmosphere of state-ordered vilification of the opposition, the elections are held on September 24. More than 30,000 volunteers monitor some 10,000 polling places to prevent fraud. By the close of the day the monitors announce that Milosevic has been defeated by a substantial margin. The new president is the DOS candidate, Vojislav Kostunica, a scholar and lawyer untainted by Serbian political corruption. Milosevic, claiming that neither he nor Kostunica received a majority of the votes, calls for a run-off election. The opposition calls for a general strike to force Milosevic to honour the popular vote.
October 2000
Beginning with a coal miners' strike, sector after sector of the country grinds to a halt. Protestors block streets with barricades and their bodies. When Milosevic sends soldiers to break the strike tens of thousands of citizens turn out.
By October 5 the country has come to a virtual standstill. Hundreds of thousands of protestors pour peacefully into Belgrade. The police, with a few exceptions, acknowledge their orders but refuse to obey them. By the end of the day the protestors control the parliament building and the state-run television and radio stations. European leaders call for Milosevic to step down.
On October 6, Milosevic acknowledges defeat, and the head of the Army congratulates Kostunica on his victory.
April 2001
On April 1, Slobodan Milosevic is arrested by Serbian police for crimes in office, the first step of the process that eventually takes him before the World Court in The Hague.
June 2001
On June 28, Milosevic is extradited to The Hague to be tried for crimes against humanity.
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