University Student Council Demanding Free Day for Students on Friday

Bratislava, March 7 (TASR) – The University Student Council (SRVS) has asked the rectors of the Slovak universities to grant students a day off on Friday (March 9) so that they can join the protests that are taking place in several places around Slovakia and abroad on this day, TASR learnt on Wednesday.

The protests are organised in connection to the recent murders of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his girlfriend Martina Kusnirova.

SRVS chairman Balint Lovasz told TASR that the council perceives the double murder sensitively, especially regarding the dangers to freedom of the press and freedom of expression. “At the same time we feel the need for the academic environment to reflect the tense situation in society. We are convinced that the country’s future should be based on education and critical thinking, so we must clearly condemn all demonstrations that spread conspiracy theories in the social and political discourse,” reads a letter sent to the university rectors by the SRVS.

Representatives of the top student body in Slovakia have asked the rectors to cancel classes on Friday afternoon so university students can join the marches. “The free afternoon is to provide the students and employees with the possibility to attend the protests even if they are planning to join the event in their hometowns,” reads the letter.

The following Slovak universities have already cancelled classes on Friday afternoon: the Slovak Technical University (STU) in Bratislava, the University of Economics in Bratislava, the Comenius University in Bratislava, the Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice and the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice.

Around 50,000 people in some 60 towns and cities in Slovakia and abroad joined the previous commemorative march in memory of Kuciak and Kusnirova held on March 2.