STEGA: A backward move by the Government with the obvious intention of shutting down FCJK

"It is worth emphasizing that even the Serbian president did not allow himself to take such action, which implies political repression and the burying of academic freedoms, in his confrontation with the University of Belgrade and the rebellious students," the association said.

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Photo: STEGA
Photo: STEGA
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The decision of the Government of Montenegro to not approve the enrollment of 40 first-year students at the Faculty of Montenegrin Language and Literature in Cetinje is a precedent that no Montenegrin Government has done before, said the Strategy for a European and Civic Montenegro (STEGA).

The association emphasized that in democratic societies, and especially those that aspire to the "EU Agenda", education and science must be protected from politically motivated decisions that undermine fundamental freedoms and academic autonomy.

"Therefore, the Government is obliged to provide the entire Montenegrin public with a clear answer about the reasons for making this, more than controversial, decision. Otherwise, this 'measure' will undoubtedly be perceived as an anti-civilizational showdown with a higher education institution, its professors and students,

Additionally, this unprecedented act demonstrates an inappropriately poor attitude towards the constitutionally established official language and Montenegrin citizens who speak Montenegrin - the official language," STEGA said.

That association and its editorial office for science and education therefore say that they see this move by the Government as deeply "backward" with the obvious intention of closing down a scientific and educational higher education institution in Cetinje, especially at a time when the Government, as they point out, is allocating huge budget funds for illegal religious schools.

"It is worth emphasizing that even the Serbian president did not allow himself to take such action, which implies political repression and the burying of academic freedoms, in his confrontation with the University of Belgrade and the rebellious students.

"If this 'decision' is not withdrawn, then it can only be compared to the decision of the Nicaraguan government in August 2023 under dictator Daniel Ortega to close the Centroamericana University (UCA), which was one of the last centers of independent thought and activism against the authoritarian regime, which caused widespread international condemnation," STEGA concluded.

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