PRESS RELEASE – MUNICIPAL COURT IN ZENICA ADOPTED A TEMPORARY MEASURE

The Municipal Court in Zenica has issued a temporary measure ordering the immediate payment of salaries to employees of the University of Zenica, without any delay or conditionality. The court's decision unequivocally confirms that the Rector, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Duraković, is the legal representative of the University and the only authorized signatory of all documents.
This measure is a direct confirmation that the previous obstructions of salary payments were blackmailing, unconstitutional, illegal, and against the interests of employees, students, and the academic community as a whole. It is now clear that no political or institutional manipulation can be above the law.
We call on the competent authorities, especially the Ministry of Finance of the Canton of ZDK, to immediately, without further delay, act in accordance with this court measure, in order to eliminate the consequences of the illegal withholding of salaries and protect the fundamental rights of more than 300 employees.
The University of Zenica will not allow its academic self-governance and institutional autonomy, as well as the dignity of its employees, to be undermined by the arbitrary will of individuals. All future obstructions will be reported to the competent institutions, including the judiciary.
The University expresses its satisfaction with the swift action of the court in order to protect the rights of employees and the normal functioning of the public institution. We expect all competent institutions to immediately act in accordance with this measure, thereby preventing further violations of employees' rights and academic freedoms.
We thank the employees and students for their patience and support during these challenging times.
The University of Zenica remains committed to legality, academic freedom and the protection of the interests of its employees and students. No one will be allowed to undermine the autonomy and dignity of the University through political force or legal violence.

RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZENICA

Prof. dr. Jusuf Durakovic