The Serbian Criminal Police Directorate entered the premises of the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade yesterday, at the order of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, and as part of the investigation into the tragic death of a student at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade.
This decision was condemned by several intellectuals, student organizations, and political parties.
Academic Plenum: Police raid on the Rectorate - an act of naked violence by the authorities
The Academic Plenum announced today that the police raid on the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade is an act of naked violence by the authorities, which represents an attempt to completely abolish the autonomy of universities, and then shut down state universities.
"The Academic Plenum and Education with Students, which bring together university professors and teachers in primary and secondary schools in Vojvodina, provide full support to the rector of the University of Belgrade, Vladan Đokić, who is the main target of the tabloids and the repressive apparatus under the control of the government, all because he constantly supports students - the future of this country," the Academic Plenum said in a statement.
They added that they are proud of their colleagues from the University of Belgrade who defend their rector and the entire higher education system.
"As on the first day, today we stand firmly with the students who have initiated an irreversible process that leads to changes and a more just society that we all strive for. We are ready, at their invitation, to come to Belgrade and, together with all citizens, not to allow the closure of the University of Belgrade, and consequently all universities in the Republic of Serbia," the Academic Plenum stated.
They said that universities must remain a place of free thought, critical spirit, and truth.
At the same time, they called on Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić to call early parliamentary elections without delay that would lead to a resolution of the social crisis in the country.
A group of deans from the University of Novi Sad condemned the police raid on the Rectorate in Belgrade
A group of deans of faculties at the University of Novi Sad condemned today the police raid on the Rectorate building of the University of Belgrade as "a violation of the autonomy of the university and the dignity of its members."
The deans of five faculties of the University of Novi Sad stated in a joint statement that "under the pretext of conducting an investigation into the death of a student of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, members of the Criminal Police Directorate, acting on the orders of the Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade, raided the premises of the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade, conducted a search and seized 'incriminating' material."
"We condemn the media campaign against the entire academic community in Serbia and its prominent representatives, which has been going on for months and is gaining in intensity all the time. We remind the public, whatever the reason, that the collapse of a university, as one of the brightest achievements of modern civilization, has never brought any society anything good. On the contrary, it has always been a reliable indicator of its decline," the deans assessed.
They expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased student and recalled the obligation of every individual and institution to respect the law, emphasizing that "it particularly implies the prohibition of its abuse by those who are obliged to enforce it."
"Let's preserve our universities in order to preserve the essence of our people and the foundation of our society," reads the statement signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Economics Aleksandar Čučković, Dean of the Academy of Arts Zoran Krajišnik, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Mathematics Srđan Rončević, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Subotica Milan Trifković, and Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy in Sombor Saša Marković.
Other faculty deans from the University of Novi Sad did not comment on yesterday's events at the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade.
Grbović (PSG): Police raid on the University is repression aimed at suppressing free thought
The president of the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG), Pavle Grbović, stated that "the police raid on the University represents open repression with a clear goal - to stifle free thought and destroy the last refuge of critical thinking in Serbia."
"This is not an investigation, but a message to all who dare to think differently. The authorities will never forgive the University for standing by its students when they demanded justice and accountability for the 16 victims, and that is why today they are trying to break it by abusing a tragedy and false empathy. We are witnessing a clear violation of the University's autonomy," Grbović told TV Blic, as reported by PSG today.
European Democrats stand in solidarity with Rector Đokić, calling on the authorities to stop the pressure
The European Democratic Party (EDP) expressed solidarity with the Rector of the University of Belgrade, Vladan Đokić, regarding yesterday's all-day police search of the Rectorate building.
In a statement, EDP called on the Serbian authorities to "fully respect the autonomy of universities, stop all political pressure on academic institutions, and ensure an independent and transparent investigation into the death of a student (on March 26) that has caused public concern."
"I express full solidarity with Rector Vladan Đokić, with the students of the University of Belgrade and with all citizens of Serbia who are peacefully standing up for truth, dignity and freedom. What happened at the University of Belgrade is not an isolated abuse. It is part of Aleksandar Vučić's methods: intimidation, pressure, media staging and the systematic demolition of the levers for democratic checks and balances," said MEP and EDP Secretary General Sandro Goci.
He pointed out that only "governments that fear freedom, responsibility and truth" send police to the university because the rector stands with the students.
"Vučić wants every independent institution in Serbia to bend to his will. Universities, as well as the media and the electoral process, have become targets precisely because they continue to resist political capture. Europe must say clearly: This is unacceptable," Goci said.
Rector Nikolić: The Ministry of Education is not the owner of higher education
The rector of the University of Arts in Belgrade, Mirjana Nikolić, stated that "in a situation in which the competent Ministry (of Education) should be thinking strategically about the development of educational policies, preparing and implementing action plans, monitoring educational trends and defining risks, and charting the path of higher education, universities are being questioned, are in the dock and are in constant fear of repression, threats of closure or restructuring."
"The Ministry of Education is not the owner of higher education, it is a channel that, in cooperation with university representatives, creates official policies, has the mandate to allocate citizens' money from the budget according to rules and priorities, and is responsible for the functioning of the system," said Nikolić in an interview with the Danas newspaper, regarding the message from that ministry that the state should have the main say in the functioning of higher education institutions.
As she added, "therefore, the 'key word' of the Ministry of Education would only be evidence of the nullification and instrumentalization of the opinions and positions of the academic community by the bodies that are systemically responsible for higher education - for example, the National Council for Higher Education - which would ultimately lead to the complete abolition of autonomy."
Regarding predictions by some in the public that this government intends to destroy state universities and replace disobedient professors with obedient ones, she said that she "really does not want to think and believe in a dystopian future for Serbia without state higher education."
"Thinking in that direction is like thinking about killing one's own child or destroying the greatest national values or prestigious brand, not only of the former Yugoslavia, but also of the region. Attacks and pressures exist, but I sincerely believe in at least a minimum of fear of the fatal consequences of decisions that would lead in that direction. A responsible and self-aware society must think, consider and (dis)regard criticism, especially if it comes from young and uncompromising educated young people who want to see their future in their country," Nikolić said.
The new face of Serbia demands Dačić's dismissal due to police action at the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade
The New Face of Serbia party has demanded the dismissal of Interior Minister Ivica Dačić due to the police "invasion" of the Rectorate building in Belgrade and "harassment of free citizens".
The party's president, Miloš Parandilović, assessed that Serbia had become "a police state, and armed forces and violence are the last trump card of Aleksandar Vučić's regime."
"I strongly condemn the behavior of members of the Criminal Police Directorate and demand the dismissal of the eternal minister Ivica Dačić, who, following the example of his political father Slobodan Milošević, thinks that everything is solved with violence. After the regime is changed, all those who beat free people just because they thought differently and wanted to live in a free Serbia will have to answer," Parandilović said, as reported by Novo lice Srbije.
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