Help Europe: the Dean of the FPN called on the European Parliament to "raise your voice"

Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences (FPN) in Belgrade Maja Kovačević sent a letter to the European Parliament and called on it to "raise its voice" and support students and universities in "critical moment".

In a letter addressed to the European Parliament, but also to other EU institutions dealing with foreign relations and education, Kovačević pointed to the latest forms of repression by the Government in the technical mandate: the request that faculty deans initiate disciplinary measures against their students, as well as a letter in which the faculty is asked for information on whether they informed the police about student blockades or requested their intervention.

The decision not to pay salaries to professors whose faculties are blocked is also disputed.

"We are sure you are aware that Serbia witnessed historic student protests against corruption and in defense of the rule of law and democracy. Four months of mass protests across the country culminated in the largest protest in the history of Serbia on March 15," Kovačević said.

Sound weapon

And she reminded that the peaceful protest was interrupted and that the use of sound weapons or some similar means is suspected, which caused panic among the demonstrators. And instead of investigating those disturbing claims, the public prosecutor announced potential legal action against those who reported being affected by the attack.

"Despite numerous physical attacks and widespread misinformation, the students kept a peaceful blockade of their faculties, and the professors of the University fully supported their demands. At this historic moment for Serbia, we are proud to stand behind them and provide support, and this position of ours will not change until their demands are fully met," Kovačević stated in a letter to the European Parliament.

Support from prominent scientists from around the world

A petition in support of those demands was signed by more than 3.800 prominent scientists from all over the world, and in response the Government escalates repression against the University in a technical mandate.

"The Ministry of Education of Serbia demanded that the rectors and deans disclose whether they called the police to intervene against students blocking the faculties and whether they initiated disciplinary measures against students and professors. The Ministry also announced an extraordinary inspection and has already withheld salaries from the university staff at the faculties. As the dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Belgrade, I publicly stated that I will not comply with these demands," said Kovačević.

She reminded that Serbia is not only attached to the European Union, but is in the process of accession negotiations, and that "the demands of students are closely related to the basic principles of the rule of law and standards of democratization, which are the cornerstone of European values."