The Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Niš is facing a grave and unlawful assault on its autonomy and integrity. On November 6, 2025, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted a Decision on the Establishment of the “Faculty of Serbian Studies”, without the consent of the University Council, the Faculty Council, the Academic Board, or the entire academic community, including students. This newly created “faculty” is to be located at the same address as the Faculty of Philosophy, by forcibly removing three of its departments – History, Serbian Language and Literature, and Russian Language and Literature. This constitutes a flagrant violation of the University’s autonomy. The fact that the Council of the newly established “Faculty of Serbian Studies” is composed entirely of individuals aligned with the ruling regime further confirms that this is a politically motivated act rather than an academic or an institutional decision.

By unilaterally transferring accredited programs, students, and staff without consent, the Government has violated the Constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of higher education institutions. Such an act has no precedent in democratic societies and undermines the very foundations of academic life in Serbia.

The Faculty of Philosophy in Niš categorically condemned this violent act by the Government of Serbia – an act without precedent in the academic world. The Government has committed a gross breach of the Constitutionally guaranteed autonomy of universities, as well as a violation of fundamental labour rights and students’ rights guaranteed by law, including the right of students to complete the programs and degrees in which they originally enrolled.

This moment is a test for all who believe in the values of academic freedom and institutional independence. If this attack goes unanswered, it will mark a dangerous turning point – not only for Serbia but for all societies where political power seeks to silence knowledge, ethics, and dissent.

We stand in solidarity with our colleagues and students at the University of Niš and we call upon universities, faculties, and academic associations across the world to join us in condemning this act. The Government of Serbia is called to immediately suspend all actions that violate existing laws and academic procedures, and to respect the principles of legality, transparency, and institutional autonomy. 

You can view the list of signatories to this petition at: https://r.filfak.ni.ac.rs/appeal-signatories. 

Please note that the list is updated on a daily basis.