Student groups decry ‘worrisome trends’ in Slovakia’s academia

University welcomes groups’ support, but says claims of decline in academic freedom are overblown

Student groups have decried what they say is a decline of academic freedom in Slovakia, in response to remarks made by prime minister Robert Fico.

There is “an escalation of worrisome trends in Slovakia pursued by the current government in relation to the rule of law, academic freedom and student participation”, the European Students’ Union (ESU) and Student Council of Higher Education in Slovakia (ŠRVŠ) said in a joint statement on 22 January.