On the occasion of the brutal attack on students in Novi Sad, during which serious criminal acts were committed, the Extended Rector’s Collegium of the University of Belgrade expresses its deepest outrage at the brutality and recklessness of the direct perpetrators. We demand that the competent authorities take immediate and lawful action without any delay.
We must also underscore, once again, that hate speech serves as a generator of violence and unrest. Those who incite and spread hatred, intolerance, and division among citizens in the public sphere must bear responsibility for the crimes that have occurred since the beginning of the peaceful protests. Media outlets and political officeholders bear the greatest responsibility for the words they publicly express.
An attack on youth is an attack on the future of our society. We call on the public – let us demonstrate solidarity and protect those who have shown great enthusiasm in defending fundamental moral values!