27 Oct 2010 / 10:34
Kosovo’s newest political party and hundreds of students were evicted from the University of Pristina’s main hall just minutes before the start of a debate on Tuesday, sparking a row over censorship in the run-up to elections in the country.
Petrit Collaku
Fryma e Re party, FER, which translates as New Spirit, was due to address students on Tuesday when security guards arrived and forced the 300-strong audience to leave the room.
The university debating club had notified the university authorities that former civil society leaders Ilir Deda and Shpend Ahtemi, now spearheading FER, would be speaking to students.
But it was not until the duo were due to appear on stage that the vice dean of the faculty, Deme Hoti, decided to review the list of participants.
Security guards were then sent to remove the crowd, citing the university’s principle of impartiality towards political parties.
Deda and Ahmeti, followed by a contingent of the audience, then walked across central Pristina to the city’s ABC Cinema, where the debate was reconvened.
Student Edmir Sejdiu, who runs the debating club, told Balkan Insight that other politicians had appeared at university debates previously and said he would be holding an emergency meeting with the university authorities.
“We didn’t break any of the university rules and we do not know why they didn't let us hold this debate,” Sejdiu said. “We were planning to have open debates with all political parties every Tuesday and the [philosophy] faculty was informed about this.”
The university’s decision comes as Kosovo awaits snap general elections, brought about by the resignation of the president and the collapse of the government.
Ahmeti said that he was invited as a guest to the debate and was intending to answer students’ questions rather than make a party political broadcast.
“I think today’s events shows how debate in society is being stifled by blackmailing powers,” Ahmeti said. Deda added that, no matter what, a debate will be held at the university.
But Vice Dean Hoti told Balkan Insight the debate club should have been aware that no political parties can promote themselves on the premises of the university.
“The faculty never allows the promotion of any political parties, opposition or government, on the premises,” Hoti said.
“I know there were some ministers taking part in earlier debates but they were representing the government and not the party,” Hoti added.
He said that the faculty of philosophy had done the right thing by blocking the debate, particularly in the run-up to an election.
Kosovo’s newest political party and hundreds of students were evicted from the University of Pristina’s main hall just minutes before the start of a debate on Tuesday, sparking a row over censorship in the run-up to elections in the country.
Petrit Collaku
Fryma e Re party, FER, which translates as New Spirit, was due to address students on Tuesday when security guards arrived and forced the 300-strong audience to leave the room.
The university debating club had notified the university authorities that former civil society leaders Ilir Deda and Shpend Ahtemi, now spearheading FER, would be speaking to students.
But it was not until the duo were due to appear on stage that the vice dean of the faculty, Deme Hoti, decided to review the list of participants.
Security guards were then sent to remove the crowd, citing the university’s principle of impartiality towards political parties.
Deda and Ahmeti, followed by a contingent of the audience, then walked across central Pristina to the city’s ABC Cinema, where the debate was reconvened.
Student Edmir Sejdiu, who runs the debating club, told Balkan Insight that other politicians had appeared at university debates previously and said he would be holding an emergency meeting with the university authorities.
“We didn’t break any of the university rules and we do not know why they didn't let us hold this debate,” Sejdiu said. “We were planning to have open debates with all political parties every Tuesday and the [philosophy] faculty was informed about this.”
The university’s decision comes as Kosovo awaits snap general elections, brought about by the resignation of the president and the collapse of the government.
Ahmeti said that he was invited as a guest to the debate and was intending to answer students’ questions rather than make a party political broadcast.
“I think today’s events shows how debate in society is being stifled by blackmailing powers,” Ahmeti said. Deda added that, no matter what, a debate will be held at the university.
But Vice Dean Hoti told Balkan Insight the debate club should have been aware that no political parties can promote themselves on the premises of the university.
“The faculty never allows the promotion of any political parties, opposition or government, on the premises,” Hoti said.
“I know there were some ministers taking part in earlier debates but they were representing the government and not the party,” Hoti added.
He said that the faculty of philosophy had done the right thing by blocking the debate, particularly in the run-up to an election.
balkan insight
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου