Punishing Professor Kleut - Undermining University Autonomy

GP Solidarity strongly condemns the decision of the Senate of the University of Novi Sad to reject the appointment of Dr Jelena Kleut to the title of full professor. This was done despite the fact that the Expert Council for Social Sciences had previously confirmed that she fully meets all the requirements for promotion.

Such a decision, made without a clear explanation, in which the vast majority of Senate members chose submissive silence, is an obvious act of political revenge against Professor Kleut for her public engagement, support for students during the blockades and active participation in academic initiatives to defend the autonomy of the university.

Professor Jelena Kleut is a victim of institutional violence with the intention of expelling critical thought and every form of academic and civic activism from the university.

University autonomy implies the opposite - freedom of thought, research and public action, without fear of political sanctions. Unfortunately, most Senate members, instead of being defenders of autonomy, have agreed to be an extended arm of regime revenge.

Solidarity demands that the Senate of the University of Novi Sad provide the public with a complete, concrete and professional explanation of its decision, as well as to immediately correct the injustice done to Professor Kleut.

We stand with Professor Jelena Kleut, the academic community and all those who fight for a free, democratic and solidary society.