Joint Statement by the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC) and the European Performing Arts Students’ Association (EPASA)
The AEC and EPASA stand in unwavering solidarity with the students and academic communities in Serbia who have raised their voices for democracy over the past three months. We reaffirm our commitment to democratic principles, including the right to protest, organisational autonomy, and freedom of expression.
In January, the professors at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, an esteemed member of the AEC, joined the protests by suspending their work, and demonstrations continue to spread across Serbia. The demands remain centred on transparency, accountability, and increased support for public higher education.
The protests have had a profound impact on higher arts education in Serbia. Many students and academic staff are participating, and university blockades have disrupted academic activity, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The risk to students and faculty advocating for their rights remains a significant concern.
The AEC and EPASA strongly condemn any violence against peaceful protesters and are deeply concerned about reports of attacks on students. The Serbian Government must engage with the concerns raised by this movement and take meaningful steps toward a sustainable resolution that upholds democratic values.
Transparency and the protection of education as a fundamental human right are core principles that must be upheld. We emphasise the importance of maintaining a safe space for dialogue and democratic participation within higher education institutions.
The AEC and EPASA also highlight the petition, ‘Stand with Students in Serbia: End Violence, Help Their Fight’, initiated by the Forum of the University of Arts in Belgrade. This petition underscores the students’ demands and calls for international support against violence towards protesters.
