International Student Movement

The following was recently sent to the ISM (Global) mailing list, requesting it to be published in the website as well:

Background information:

On the 15th of February 2011 was the 41st anniversary of Public University of Prishtina. 41 years ago this university was established as a result of massive demonstrations of 1968 claiming for freedom of speech. Today 41 years after, our university instead of being modernized we are facing miserable conditions. Not necessarily there is need for illustration of these conditions, since the miserable state itself it’s obvious and it is known by all the students. But, we the students of the Student Movement “STUDIM KRITIKË VEPRIM” still find very actual one of the poems written by Fan Noli 90 years ago named “Anës lumenjve”.

We warn the Rector, the Leading Council of University and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for the decisions that they have forecasted such as decreasing the scholarship rate and increasing the payment for semester, that we – the students of University of Pristina will get mobilized by all means to prevent the execution of such decisions. It is unfair to lower the budget for education in order to built roads for some people to ramble with bodyguards in luxury cars.
As a result, on the 15th of February 2011, the center “STUDIM KRITIKË VEPRIM” has organized a protesting activity to “celebrate” the 41st anniversary of University of Prishtina. Activists of the center have put the poster containing the modified version of the poem “Anës lumenjve” (ironising the current situation in University of Prishtina) in the gates of the Rectorial.
Afterwards, the activists of the center “STUDIM KRITIKË VEPRIM” have tinted in red color the rector Mujë Rugova during his speech. After that, the activists Rron Gjinovci and Durim Jasharaj have beaten then they have been arrested by the Police.
The activists Durim Jasharaj and Rron Gjinovci have been sentenced with 30 days imprisonment by the Court of Minor Offences in Prishtina. The Court has let the activists free until the verdict is empowered.

In meantime, the Councils of Law and Philosophic Faculties have warned that they are going to determine the verdict for the exclusion of both activists, Rron Gjinovci and Durim Jasharaj. The verdict will be announced on Monday, 21st of February 2011.