University deans condemn violence against students

The 5 deans from Subotica, Sombor and Novi Sad blamed the violence against protesters on “certain police personnel and groups of masked, unidentified men some of who were armed … who have links to the ruling parties”.

The deans said the increasingly frequent arrests based on dubious legal explanations are a threat to the safety of the public.

They expressed fear of an escalation of the violence. “The increasingly pronounced repression primarily against students casts doubts on intentions to peacefully normalize the situation,” the deans said.

According to the deans, the exams and resumed classes (under an agreement with the Education Ministry) are in jeopardy.

“We are afraid that the situation is deteriorating and become more radical and we insist on a renewal of dialogue so that reason can prevail and so that the crisis in society can be directed towards a parliamentary struggle appropriate for a multi-party democratic society,” the deans said.