2014 student protest in Kosovo
The 2014 student protest began when Kosovo media accused Ibrahim Gashi, the Rector of the University of Pristina and his staff, of falsifying research and publishing scientific papers based on that false research to bolster their academic credentials.[1] Student protesters became outraged after parliament failed to pass a vote demanding that Gashi resign, with coalition government political parties opposing the move.[2] A spokeswoman for the Kosovo police said physical violence began when students began throwing red paint and rocks at the responding officers, who then attempted to subdue the students with tear gas. Reports state that 30 police officers were injured, one with a head injury and several with broken arms or legs. More than 30 students and opposing politicians were arrested.[3]
| 2014 Student protest in Kosovo | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | 20 January 2014 | ||
| Location | Prishtina,  Kosovo | ||
| Goals |
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| Methods | Peaceful demonstrations escalated after brutal police suppression of the protests. | ||
| Resulted in | Resignation of Ibrahim Gashi | ||
| Parties to the civil conflict | |||
| Lead figures | |||
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| Number | |||
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| Casualties and losses | |||
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Earlier student protests
Student protests at the University of Pristina started in March 1981, when students demonstrated for better food and dormitory space. These protests soon spread throughout Kosovo, and by April 1981 they had expanded to include the demands of Kosovo Albanians for more autonomy within the Yugoslav federation. The Yugoslavian government saw these protests as a serious threat, and declared that they would "suppress them by all available means".[4] On 2 April 1981, a state of emergency was declared in Pristina, and the government sent 30,000 troops into the province to quell the protests.[5]
2014 protests
Clashes between students and Kosovan police began early on 28 January 2014 when dozens of student protesters, demanding the resignation of the University Rector, Ibrahim Gashi, blocked the entrance to his office. People of all ages, including parents and students from other universities, joined the demonstration, demanding a higher quality of living and education for students. Violent confrontations between protesters and the police resulted in the arrest of 25 students, and two students injured.[6] The students were seeking the immediate resignation or dismissal of the University Rector, Ibrahim Gashi, who had reportedly published scientific papers in bogus or "predatory" journals based in India.[7] According to various news sources in Kosovo, there are many other professors at the university that might have other scientific publications in false magazines across the world.[8]
January and February protest and timeline
29 January
Students protested for the second day in a row before the Rector of the University of Pristina. As the protest ended for the day, Valton Marku, one of the protesters said "we conclude here today protest and warn of upcoming protests again. We continue to remain in office now, all activists who are interested to discuss and further develop this idea more and then you will be notified and protests the next time."
A peaceful demonstration was confirmed by Kosovo police through a press release.
Protests began at 7:45 A.M., blocking the entrance to the building of the facility by not allowing management employees of the UP inside. A small number of protesters from the Student Movement for Equality, Research, Critique, and Action, gathered in the morning, and more groups of independent students appeared by noon. Their representative, Roland Sylejmani, said preliminary protesters are joining and supporting their claims. "The requirements are pretty much the same almost, we do not want to create any type of disruption, we will support each organization, which will increases the student voice against these injustices," he said.
Throughout the day, protesters gained support from former professors, Agron Dida, and Latif Pupovci. Dida supported students saying that work done by the rector should be dismissed, and that he should be forced to resign and take responsibility. "Such action of these people is a degrading act that should be punished legally, not only are dismissed but should be required criminal liability for false presentations, etc. for falsifying documents. under the laws in force," he said.
In support of the protest, another student from CDHRF, Behxhet Shala, had said that although the protests have gone quiet, the Commission for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms, will compile a report about this protest and will come with a stand officials. Shala stated that the protests of students was fair. "We believe that student demands are fair, especially after the scandals were uncovered recently, I think that it should prevail moral and those who are responsible should be removed from this post. Also, we think that these should not be allowed to resign is because if downloaded should resign somehow escape responsibility, and if downloaded then begins initiation of responsibility. We stand foreseen demand students think that they are right and we think that will come. There are situations escalate interested in any escalation of the situation the moment because nobody needs", he said.
Students protested for the third consecutive day, demanding the resignation of the dean of the University of Prishtina, Ibrahim Gashi, initiating procedures for the investigation of all scientific publications in the UP. After the war in Kosovo, the investigation of the University for all breaches as and amend the Statute of UP. Students have warned that they would continue protests until their demands achievement.
Those from the morning protest blocking the entry of rector, demanding the resignation of the rector, Ibrahim Gashi and depoliticize UP. Students said they were distributed to prepare for the next steps. Kosovo police announced through a press release that the students held a silent protest and are also distributed smoothly
3 and 6 February
Students UP protesters are sending flowers Police Unit, showing that they are so peaceful and are demanding the resignation of the rector, Ibrahim Gashi.
- 1:25 pm
- Complete: Students of the University of Pristina are trying to enter the Rector of UP, while Kosovo police and insurance Rector are trying to impede the entry of students in the Rector's office. In protest note the presence of the Kosovo Special Unit. Students are staying already sitting inside the courtyard of the Rector.
Hundreds of students and members of civil society gathered before rector to demand the resignation of the rector of the University of Pristina, Ibrahim Gashi.
- 3:45 pm
- Six protesters have received treatment at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo, while the present situation is currently calm. Students are continuing still blocked, while for Friday afternoon 's press conference announcing the students.
- 3:05 pm
Meanwhile, police said Avni Zogiani not go to north because there are companies and smugglers operating on behalf of government officials.
According to him, the police that 10 years is not defended as if north is defending the rectory.
He said that students are repeating history, but the start transforming and changing society.
- 3:01 pm
KIPRED Director Ilir Deda told Telegraph that today's victory is a step towards meeting the requirements of students. He said no worse than a rector protected by police.
- 2:40 pm
Telegraph journalist reports that some protesters have taken out several policemen Rector yard.
- 2:37 pm
Police again started using pepper spray to disperse the students, while the earlier use of pepper spray were reported injured.
- 1:26 pm
Students are back in the courtyard of the Rector, while the police are directed with the sentence "I'll take responsibility for this historic day."
- 1:23 pm
Special Unit of the Kosovo Police is deterring students from the courtyard of the Rector, while students began throwing objects in the direction of the Special Police Unit of Kosovo.
- 1:20 pm
Started the intervention of the Special Unit, while so far arrested one student.
- 1:13 pm
Police learned that started using the 'spray' gas and tear gas, while the students are starting to cheer " take, take." Aid has arrived and the member is dealing with insurance UP.
- 1:03 pm
Students and police clash started while students are trying to enter the premises of the Rectorate. Police are asking students to leave the doors to the Rectory. Telegraph learns that a member of the security of the Rector is hurt.
- 12:48 pm
Popovci said if formed committees for academic verification calls will come then many professors who have academic suspicious call.
- 12:46 pm
Khadija – Popovci Latifi, professor at UP has said that the war has been led by people who have produced scandals.
She said she is in protest to stop the discrediting of UP.
Telegraph journalist reports that among the protesters was also Surroi, Flaka Surroi, Halil Matoshi, Igballe Rugova, Imer Mushkolaj, Ilir Deda, Lumir Abdixhiku Blerta Syla.
Among the students were chanting "Autonomy, Steering not."
Student demand immediate resignation of the rector Ibrahim Gashi, the beginning of the investigation about abuse in university, improving infrastructure in the Student Center and the removal of the influence of power in the removal of University Governing Council.
Otherwise, the Assembly is discussing about the state of UP.
7 February
Student Movement for Equality, " Research, Critique, Action ", in a press release said that, today, before and after the protest, by unknown persons " who are posing as members of the Kosovo Police " have arrested protesters, citizens of more from the organizers. " These arrests in city streets, have started at 11:00 and continued after the protest. Tracking of students has started a few days and made for the sole reason : to wreck student organization, "reads the press release. According to the Student Movement for Equality, were arrested over 30 students, citizens and members of civil society. Some of them are injured and still in their custody, "a part of them was beaten during arrest after".
" These political kidnappings are displayed in a more open, when the student was holding Jasharaj Patience statement to the media and protesters, while cunningly caught by members of the Kosovo Police, same as civil society activist, Ilir Deda, who was talk to the cops."
Movement of Kosovo Police calls to release students, citizens and civil society representatives, who are being held in custody only because they are seeking justice.
" We will not stop our protests until our demands are realized right ! As warned before the gate of the Rector, the ten protests will be held on Monday, 10 February 2014 at 12:00. As in previous protests, students will gather in the Student Center dormitories, while others will gather at the square ' Skanderbeg '. We call on all students, teachers, unions, citizens and civil society to join us in our protest, which will not stop until the end " !
Requirements, the Movement, are :
1 . Immediate resignation of the Rector, Ibrahim Gashi – because the rector should stop publishing false scientific journals, not to publish false scientific papers.
2 . Sudden onset of the investigation into abuses at the University of Prishtina and the establishment of a mechanism to verify all degrees – because you have to stop scientific turbotitujt plagjiatet paid through a transparent verification mechanism, in order to have science knowledge.
3 . Improving infrastructure in the Student Center
4 . Removing the impact of government at the University of Pristina, the removal of the Governing Council of the University of Prishtina – because we should have University student, not the University of Prishtina.
8 February
Ibrahim Gashi resigned his position as head of University of Pristina. He made the announcement formally on Saturday on Kosovo's public broadcaster, RTK. Gashi placed blame for his actions on behalf of Kosovo's political opposition parties. His appointment for University head was backed by the ruling coalition.[9]
Gashi was quoted saying, "I hope that my resignation will start the normalization of work at the University of Pristina" and that his resignation was, "a moral act".
Ilir Deda, director of the Kosovo Institute for Political Studies and Development, was arrested during the protests and released February 11. Deda hailed rector Gashi's resignation as a victory for the students and said, "[Kosovo Authorities] have basically given up the entire University now, The students feel empowered. It is the first time there is this empowerment in Kosovo. In the big picture, the trends are really good - there is a waking up in our society." [10]
10 February
Students at Kosovo's top college made a statement that protests would not cease until, "all academic degrees and PhDs are verified and until the statute of the University of Pristina is changed to add autonomy and transparency to it and remove politics from it".[11]
Four of the nine members of the presiding council of the University of Pristina also stepped down on Monday after Gashi resigned.
Muharrem Nitaj, head of the council, resigned saying, "[he] was unable to fulfill his duties".
Students denied accusations from Gashi that they were, "used and politicized by some NGOs and political parties".[12]
References
- "Police clashed with students in Kosovo, and dozens reported injured". Reuters. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Kosovo students clash with police in Pristina". 2 July 2014. BBC News. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
- "Police clash with students in Kosovo, dozens reported injured". Reuters. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
- Jović 2009, p. 184.
- Antić, Zdenko (17 March 1982). "Kosovo: One year after the riots". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Research Institute. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
- "Kosovo 2.0 – Students Block UP Rector's Office and Get Arrested". Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- Mićo Tatalović. "Scandal in Kosovo: Rector's alleged track record of publishing in predatory journals embroils University of Pristina".
- "Students of the University of Prishtina in Kosovo protesting against their Rector".
- "Kosovo public university president resigns after days of student protests". Fox News.
- "Students lead wide-ranging protests in Kosovo". DW.COM.
- "Kosovo Students Vow New Protests Over Fraud". Balkan Insight. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- "Kosovo Students Vow New Protests Over Fraud". balkaninsight.com.
Sources
- Jović, Dejan (2009). Yugoslavia: A State That Withered Away. Purdue University Press. p. 184.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)