University of Belgrade Dean’s Collegium Condemns Attack on Nis Dean

Dean Natalija Jovanovic (BETAPHOTO/BILJANA LJUBISAVLJEVIC)

On March 31, the extended Dean’s Collegium of the University of Belgrade condemned the recent assault on Natalija Jovanovic, the dean of the Nis University School of Philosophy, and insisted that the authorities “react immediately” to the incident.

In addition to the assailant being sanctioned, the Collegium demanded that other measures be taken to prevent violence against members of the academic community.

“We stress that this act of violence should be viewed within the context in which it took place, i.e. an atmosphere fomented by slander, insults, threats and pressures from high-ranking public officials and tabloids,” the press release reads.

The Collegium went on to state that public verbal attacks on Belgrade University Dean Vladan Djokic have become increasingly common, creating a climate conducive to violence against university students and professors.

“We demand an end to hate speech which can lead to tragic consequences. We demand that [state] institutions take steps to determine the role played by the media and by persons who use their public appearances to promote societal intolerance and conflict and exert pressure on the judiciary, thereby endangering the safety of the public,” the Collegium said.

Dean Natalija Jovanovic was injured in a knife attack on March 30, during a university student gathering ahead of a protest rally in Nis. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that one woman suspected of committing the attack has been taken into custody.