It is evident that the rise of violence and extremism, visible across the region and the world, is not being seriously examined by political leaders. In the region, for years, independent experts have warned about the consequences, while politicians appease violent groups, using them for political or personal gain.
For a full decade on PERSPEKTIVA, young people have been speaking out about these problems. To illustrate this, here are statements from youth participants given nine or ten years ago. First, Matej, who defines violence, and Ilija, who talks about the “cult of violence” in society.
“I believe that violence is when others impose views on us that we do not agree with.“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK5nrQnkpuw
“I think that there is a kind of cult of violence in our society.“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NV_aCbLcBM&t=4s
Young people say they are being manipulated, and that football fan groups are often used for this purpose. The same groups appear masked in black to defend the regime in Belgrade, or are sent to drive young people from Novi Sad out of Split.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina alone, around 4,000 cases of violence were reported in 2024. Courts handed down around 700 suspended sentences and 300 prison terms. Yet the violence continues. Young people repeatedly warn that they are being exploited. Lazar, Sead, and Uroš describe this manipulation.
“When it comes to hooligans, it’s not just about their own thinking. There is someone behind it all, telling them what needs to happen. We don’t know who these people are, maybe the club management, or some powerful figure, but it doesn’t matter. Someone is directing it all.“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzmpnPifhSE&t=2s
“Islamic fundamentalist factions easily recruit young people online, because parents don’t monitor what their children are doing on the internet, and then children join such factions. Why do they do that? Some say it is because of religion. But it’s not. They join for purely economic reasons. I know that for a fact. They join for money, and they receive substantial sums to do so.“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJaQuDeYTBI
“It seems to me that even among fan groups there are individuals who are closely tied to politicians and centers of power. They know from the start they’re part of a game of interests. But the ordinary guy who goes to the match, cheers, and starts fighting when he’s told to, he has no idea what he’s actually doing.“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzmpnPifhSE&t=2s
In Croatia, more than 60,000 citizens have signed a petition to ban the gatherings of the so-called “kneelers” in Zagreb, who oppose Croatia’s constitutional provisions on gender equality. Is this the first sign that citizens are starting to to push back against extremism and violence in all its forms? Because, as Matej said at the start, violence is the “imposition of views.”
