The Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) provides unreserved support to students in their protest against numerous irregularities in the recently held parliamentary, provincial and local elections in Serbia, which were pointed out by numerous foreign and domestic observers in addition to representatives of the opposition. The obvious violation of the electoral will of the citizens of Serbia on election day itself was only the culmination of all abuses of state resources by the regime in Serbia in order to retain power. Accepting the results of such elections would be equivalent to abandoning Serbia as a parliamentary democracy, which is why MASA believes that it is the duty and obligation of those who support a democratic political system rooted in civil society to raise their voice against the brutal violation of the electoral will of the citizens of Serbia.
Advocating for a society based on education, expertise, critical thinking and responsibility, MASA believes that it is the duty of all academic workers to stand with their students who have stood up against a society based on obedience, manipulation and fraud. For more than half a century, students have been the force that steadfastly stood as a barrier to regime abuses in Serbia. In addition, MASA strongly condemns the beatings, arrests and intimidation of students who oppose the alteration of the electoral will of the citizens of Serbia. Due to the questioning of voting along with years of deprivation of media freedom, we call on universities in Serbia to support their students and other citizens in defending the basic principles of democracy.
