STUDENTS are being subjected to increasing levels of violence and abuse in the human rights demonstrations in the former Yugoslavia, according to USI. USI education officer Malcolm Byrne says the national union is particularly concerned at reports that students are being beaten during protests.

The union has written to the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dick Spring, asking him to ensure that the international community does all in its power to ensure that democratic principles are upheld in the former Yugoslavia.

In particular, USI has raised the case of Dejan Bulatovic (21), from Sid, in Serbia. Bulatovic was arrested for carrying an effigy of Slobodan Milosevic dressed in convict's clothes. During his detention, his nose was broken and he suffered severe chest injuries. He also claims he was sexually assaulted and had a gun put in his mouth. Bulatovic served a 25 day sentence, during which he was reported to have been kept naked in a cell with no beating.

According to Danica Pavlovic of the European Youth Association of Serbia, students from Belgrade University and the University of Arts have been protesting every day since local election results were overturned by the Milosovic government on November 17th. "They are on the streets 24 hours a day," she told E&L. "The police are in front of them and they want them not to walk."

She confirmed that Bulatovic had been now been released but he had been beaten. She was aware of no other student arrests, although other demonstrators had been arrested by police.