Spinning threats and jeopardizing Professor Gruhonjić's safety

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The Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) condemns the threats directed at journalist and associate professor of the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad Dink Gruhonjić. With incomplete and manipulatively selected excerpts from a public meeting and further tendentious interpretations, an organized campaign directed at colleague Gruhonjić is being carried out.

Statements made at an informal meeting, outside the framework of academic institutions, cannot be the reason for a kind of persecution within the faculty. Without going into what was said, and understanding the sensitivity of the public, we believe that freedom of speech is the inviolable right of intellectuals everywhere. In a premeditated calculation, edited recordings from the depths of the Internet are transmitted as news in tabloid newspapers, and according to the model we have already witnessed several times, these news are followed by a barrage of threats to the life of the individual and his family, as well as calls to prof. Gruhonjic to resign. Freedom of speech carries responsibility for what is said, but it must not mean public lynching.

We express collegial solidarity because we witness how, through various forms of pressure, public name-calling and spin through the media and social networks, public intimidation is practiced, the integrity of critical voices in the academic community is hindered and the personal safety of its members is threatened.

Announcement regarding the situation at the State University in Novi Pazar

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On the occasion of the announcement that the UGPS Nezavisnost State University in Novi Pazar (DUNP) sent to the general public, the Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) expresses concern about the escalation of accumulated problems in higher education that lead to the further collapse of the credibility of state universities in the Republic of Serbia. In the announcement, the claims about the violation of the right to advancement in the academic and professional career, as well as the labor rights of employees at DUNP by the rector prof. Dr. Zane Dolicanin confirms that the authoritarian model of state management is reflected in other institutions, including state universities in the Republic of Serbia. This case is one more in a series of evidence that the processes that invalidate the academic integrity of university teachers in Serbia continue and with increased intensity. The number of university administrations that apply repressive measures in order to further intimidate the academic community and turn its members into followers is growing. Such actions generally lead to further humiliation of the university and denial of its role as an institution of the highest national importance, guardian of democracy and driver of socio-economic progress.

MASA provides support to colleagues from DUNP in their efforts to defend the credibility of their institution. At the same time, we call on all members of the academic community to persevere in the fight for the preservation of academic and civil rights and freedoms, including the rights to work, association and social dialogue guaranteed by the Constitution and the Labor Law as significant achievements of modern European states.

 

Support for FILUM students

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The Faculty of Philology and Arts of the University of Kragujevac has not had adequate premises for its activities for 20 years. Students in the Department of Applied and Fine Arts face a lack of adequate educational conditions, given that classes are held in multiple locations in the city, often with significant travel between them. Students are forced to work in inadequate rooms that are small, full of moisture, while heating, electricity and water are often not functioning, windows cannot be opened, walls are dilapidated, inventory and floors are worn out. The management of the Faculty did not respond adequately to these challenges, and the accreditation of the program was passed without an adequate check of the conditions in which the teaching is conducted.

We invite you to support the students of the Applied and Fine Arts Department of the University of Kragujevac in their struggle for the right to work and education in adequate conditions. 

https://peticije.kreni-promeni.org/petitions/hocemo-prostor-ne-obecanja?source=rawlink&utm_source=rawlink&share=29dcbfe7-4b1c-4741-9074-dd484c8eec01

Support of MASE students protesting against election irregularities

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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.

A meeting of new members of MASA was held

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On Thursday 21.12.2023. an event was held to welcome new members of the Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement - MASA. The participants of the gathering were addressed by the members of the MASE Advisory and Coordination Board, academician prof. dr. Vladica Cvetković, prof. Dr. Snježana Milivojević, Assoc. Dr. Bojan Bodroža and Prof. Dr. Dalibor Petrović.

Dalibor Petrović, in his capacity as the president of KO MASA, in his opening address referred to the current events in the scientific and educational area of Serbia, but also to the political and social environment in which academic and scientific activity takes place in Serbia. Accordingly, he emphasized the importance of the activities of an organization such as MASA, after which he briefly recalled the most significant activities of this organization in the past two years.

Snježana Milivojević stated that the public's expectations from the University are still very high, therefore we should use all our intellectual resources to get involved in the formation of a new and better society. We must be more vocal on many issues, among other things how to democratize society anew since clear signs of the reestablishment of autocratic patterns of political action are noticeable. According to Professor Milivojević, the university's silence on these issues is the loudest. In addition, she referred to the structural changes that must be implemented at the university, which lead to its passivation.

Bishop Cvetković called for a conversation and an exchange of ideas and opinions. He briefly referred to previously stated claims by other participants and the general situation at the University and in society. He highlighted why activism is important and why we need to create a bigger picture in order to bring about change.

Bojana Bodroža continued on the importance of activism and invited all those present to take an active part in the activities of MASE. She briefly referred to the work of the group for Dignified Work in Science and concluded that this group made a significant contribution to solving the problem of the exclusion of university teachers from the former project and now institutional funding.

After the introductory speeches, the new members of MASE highlighted the problems they face within their institutions, among which the passivity of younger colleagues and constructive conformity were most often identified. In addition, the participants discussed the possibilities for increasing the capacity of the network and the action plan for the next year. Participants agreed that MASA gives academics the opportunity to speak their minds knowing that, regardless of the consequences, they will have the full support of members.

The main conclusion of the very lively and fruitful discussion was the opinion on the importance of continuing the activity of MASA and the activation of its members through the existing working groups. Accordingly, in the coming months, action plans will be made for action in the coming year with the aim of pointing out the problems that the academic community is facing, but also trying to point out the ways to overcome them in the following period.

Intrusion by members of the MUP on FASPER

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The network of academic solidarity and engagement publicly advertises, regarding another situation of violation of university autonomy, this time, due to violation of the inviolability of the academic space (universities, higher education and scientific institutions) which is guaranteed by the Law on Higher Education, Article 8, Paragraph 1.

MASA appeals to all institutions and responsible individuals and reminds that the autonomy of the university is guaranteed by Article 72 of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, and that the latest entry of members of the MUP of the RS into the premises of the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation (FASPER), who were uninvited, unannounced and without the approval of the Faculty administration, this autonomy was brutally violated.

Based on the information provided to us by the dean of FASPER, members of the police demanded access to the faculty's documentation without any written order or official document. Without going into the (un)justification of this kind of behavior and referring to the Criminal Code, someone who should ensure respect for (all) laws, with this kind of violation of the academic space, exactly violates the mentioned provisions of the Constitution of the RS and the Law on Higher Education. An additional problem is that it was done in an extremely brash, arrogant and unprofessional manner. This is inadmissible and unnecessarily causes fear and suspicion, precisely in an academic institution, which has its own democratic mission in relation to academic freedoms and institutional autonomy, and which is practiced by institutional culture.

They would also point out the inadmissibility of extremely unprofessional performance of duties, which can be used as a means of intimidation in any area, whose inviolability is guaranteed by the Constitution and laws. Accordingly, MASA expects that the issue of responsibility, before the competent authorities, of those who damaged the academic space of the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation will be raised.

Appointment of new members of the Council of the Faculty of the University of Belgrade

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The Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement publicly opposes the appointment of new members of the Council of the Faculty of the University of Belgrade by the Government of Serbia.
In accordance with the law, for members of the council before the founder, i.e. of the state, prominent personalities from the fields of science, economy and culture are appointed. Completely contrary to this principle, among the newly appointed members were also persons whose names can only be associated with affairs, criminal charges and public spreading of hatred and intolerance. In our opinion, these are persons without credibility and ethical integrity. 

The only criteria for the selection of such persons is obvious party affiliation or previous public support for the ruling party. From such members of the council, one certainly cannot expect a free and independent opinion, but only a direct execution of the orders of the authorities. This decision directly means nothing to the autonomy of the University and continues the process of its humiliation. That process is already clearly taking on the outlines of a planned program for party control over the scientific and higher education institutions of Serbia.

Massa supports all actions of resistance of students and teachers against this decision of the government. We invite colleagues to react and oppose the election of controversial members to the councils of their faculties. The academic community of Serbia must finally find the strength to openly oppose the continuous attempts for complete control over its institutions.



Massa condemns the pressure on experts from the Institute for Nature Protection

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The Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) condemns the pressures placed on individuals who are supposed to serve society with their knowledge, work, expertise and integrity. This particularly applies to all kinds of pressures on employees in state institutions who, in every functional system, should contribute to making decisions that are in line with the highest interests of society. Recently, thanks to the Center for Investigative Journalism (CINS), shocking information has become available to the public about the case of the preparation of documentation necessary for the Detailed Regulation Plan for the Struganik Dam on the Ribnica River, where a decision of the Institute for Nature Protection of importance for this procedure was made precisely on the basis of pressures on the team that processed the case, and not based on the facts and results of the professional work of the team whose task is precisely the protection of natural values. 

After the team entrusted with the case unanimously made a negative decision and argued in detail why "activities on the construction and subsequent use of the Struganik water reservoir would have a multiple negative impact on the overall values of the Ribnica river gorge", the Institute for Nature Protection allowed that under pressure and without arguments regarding the protection of nature, this solution is transformed into a positive one and that the conditions are still issued. In this way, not only a potentially dangerous decision is made, but also to a significant extent, in the long term, it undermines and degrades the integrity of individuals who, with their knowledge and abilities, should contribute to a comprehensive assessment of the consequences of planned projects. MASA demands an answer to the question of how the values of a natural asset can change in just one month, how much has passed between issuing two completely different opinions on the same planned project? This example raises the question of how independent the Institute's work is and how many decisions are still made in this way, which concern our wealth that belongs to future generations as well. How are the interests of citizens and nature protected from possibly harmful projects if the institution, whose task it is, applies pressure to refute its own well-argued decisions?

MASA requests the Institute for Nature Protection to make a statement on this case. Also, we demand that Srbijavode, as the initiator, before further consideration of the megalomaniac project, which is paving the way with an already questionable and dubious procedure, consider alternative solutions for flood regulation downstream from the protected property of the Ribnica Nature Monument. Considering that on a daily level we are witnessing non-compliance with protection measures for protected areas, as well as other consequences of neglecting the profession in almost every area of decision-making, it is time for the institutions responsible for this state of affairs (either through their inaction or wrong decisions) to take responsibility and start working in the interest of the common good.

When incompetence politically calls out expertise through the institutions of the system

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The Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) is aware of the request of the Secretary General of the National Assembly to the Faculty of Philosophy: that the Department of Sociology of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade distance itself from the political statement of Professor Jov Bakić. The request to the Faculty of Philosophy comes through the Ministry of Education, signed by acting minister without portfolio Đorđe Milićević, who is said to be a graduate economist by profession, but not in which higher education institution he obtained that title. To make the irony even greater, they referred to the statement of the regime deputy Marko Atlagić, known only for the simple things he uttered and slurs in the National Assembly, along with insulting public figures. It was mentioned at the parliamentary rostrum on 08.06.2023. magically transmitted the statement of Jov Bakić "We will chase them in the streets, they will swim in the Sava and Danube", which does not correspond to the tendentiously extended accusation in the letter of the Ministry of Education, where an urgent statement is urgently requested. MASA strongly condemns the brutal attacks on academic citizens and institutions by the authorities, insists on the right to freedom of speech and strongly opposes the name-calling of academic institutions. Has the National Assembly dissociated itself from the statements of the regime's deputies regarding the lies and insults of professors, actors, students and other citizens of this country? We suggest to the Department of Sociology of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade to disassociate itself from the statements of MP Marko Atlagić, and to give advice to the Secretary General of the National Assembly on how culturally and appropriately MPs in the National Assembly should behave, because they should represent the people of this country, about whom they are sending very ugly image with his arrogant behavior below all limits of decency.

Coordination Board of MASA

Stop police violence

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In recent months, the Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) has continuously been in a position to defend its academic colleagues while the official institutions remain mute and blind to the growing pressures to which the professors of the University of Belgrade are exposed. Professor Biljana Stojković was detained last night with the use of force because she dared to write "STOP VIOLENCE" graffiti with a group of activists on the sidewalk in front of the Serbian Parliament. We believe that she meant media and political violence, but not violence by the police, although we had the opportunity to watch their crude demonstration of force on the streets of Belgrade in July 2020, and for which no one has yet been held accountable. Then, as now, academic workers were detained. In order not to allow a gross violation of authority to go unpunished again, MASA demands that all the circumstances of the detention of Professor Biljana Stojković and other activists who were detained together with her be investigated. It is truly incredible that in a country where hate graffiti is tolerated, even publicly defended and sponsored, excessive force is used against those who use their graffiti to call for an end to the violence. All this is a mirror of the neglect of academic values and the active promotion of the culture of violence that permeates all structures of this society.

Coordination Board of MASA