Stanford, UC Berkeley professors write to EU ambassador to Serbia about situation at State University of Novi Pazar

The letter followed Ambassador von Beckerath’s recent visit to Novi Pazar, during which he affirmed the importance of civil society, democracy, and rule of law for Serbia's EU accession path.

The professors said they were profoundly troubled to learn that Ahmed Konicanin, a student of the DUNP Economics Department and member of the student protest movement, has been stripped of his student status, which they described as “an apparent act of retaliation” for his peaceful civic engagement. Konicanin had joined a panel at Stanford University on the occasion of Democracy Day after completing a 16-day, 400-kilometer march from Novi Pazar to Novi Sad to commemorate the first anniversary of the tragic Novi Sad railway station canopy collapse that claimed 16 lives.

The signatories emphasized that Konicanin’s expulsion is not an isolated incident, that other students have also been expelled, numerous professors dismissed, had their contracts terminated, or have been denied reappointment, and that departments have been shut down.

They particularly highlighted the events of July 29, 2025, when students were violently evicted from the University by masked private security guards, accompanied by DUNP Rector Dolicanin.

The destruction of DUNP "carries profound implications for minority rights, regional development, and Serbia's European aspirations," the letter reads, emphasizing that the university plays a crucial role in the education of the Bosniak community in Sandzak.

The professors also warn of the “inflammatory rhetoric” by government officials and pro-government media following protests, especially that which seeks to “exploit ethnic or religious divisions.”

“We respectfully urge the European Union Delegation to publicly call for the immediate reinstatement of all students and professors expelled or disciplined for their participation in peaceful protests at the State University of Novi Pazar; press for the appointment of a temporary administration committed to restoring academic standards, protecting university autonomy, and ensuring the continued operation of DUNP in accordance with European higher education norms; monitor and publicly address inflammatory rhetoric by government officials or state-affiliated media that seeks to exploit ethnic or religious divisions in response to peaceful civic engagement; include the situation at DUNP in the EU's regular reporting on Serbia's progress toward EU accession, particularly with regard to academic freedom, minority rights, and rule of law,” the professors said.

The letter was signed by Branislav Jakovljevic, Sara Hart Kimball Professor of the Humanities, Department of Theater and Performance Studies, Stanford University; Alberto Diaz-Cayeros, Senior Fellow, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Professor (by courtesy) of Political Science, Stanford University; Pavle Levi, Osgood Hooker Professor of Fine Arts, Film & Media Studies, Department of Art & Art History, Stanford University; Srdjan Keca, Associate Professor of Documentary Film, Department of Art & Art History, Stanford University; Djordje Popovic, Assistant Professor, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of California, Berkeley.