The Learned society endorses the statement of the Czech Rectors Conference on the Russian attack on the university in Mykolaiv

At least ten Russian missiles hit two universities in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, on Friday, 15 July. The Czech Rectors Conference (CRC) strongly condemned the attack in its statement, which the Learned Society fully endorses.

"Yesterday's attack on Ukrainian universities only further confirms Russia's disrespect for any civilizational values ​​and deep hatred of freedom. [...] In this context, the Czech Rectors Conference calls on all members of the Czech Republic's political representation to continue to work systematically with European partners and allies to ensure that similar crimes committed by Russia do not go unanswered and that support and assistance to Ukraine continue..."

You can find the full text of the statement below. The Learned Society condemns the barbaric Russian attack on Ukrainian educational institutions and fully supports the CRC statement.

On behalf of the Council of the Learned Society of the Czech Republic:

prof. RNDr. Libor Grubhoffer, CSc. - President

prof. RNDr. Martin Loebl, CSc. – 1st Vice-president

• prof. Mgr. Pavel Jungwirth, DSc.  – 2nd Vice-president
• RNDr. Ivo Starý, CSc. – Scientific Secretary
• RNDr. Šárka Nečasová, DSc. – Member
• prof. Ing. Michal Hocek, CSc., DSc. – Member
• prof. MUDr. Michal Anděl, CSc. – Member
• prof. Lenka Karfíková, Dr. theol. – Member

full text of the statement:

Statement of the Czech Rectors Conference on the Russia's Attack on Universities in Mykolaiv, Ukraine

Rectors of Czech Republic HEIs, members of the Czech Rectors Conference, are deeply shaken and outraged by Russia's missile attack on universities in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Yesterday's attack on the two largest universities in this Ukrainian city is another in a series of war crimes committed by Russia on the territory of a sovereign and independent neighboring state. After the attacks on theaters, hospitals, churches and shopping centers, universities are now coming next.

The smoke screen of constant Russian lies, manipulations and fabrications cannot hide the true nature of reality, which is the senseless, unjustifiable and criminal Russian aggression against independent Ukraine and the brutal and bloody offensive war waged against the entire Ukrainian society and its democratic establishment.

With its current aggressive war policy, Russia cannot be considered a civilized state. With its actions in Ukraine, Russia has not only been systematically committing war crimes for many months, but also fulfills the signs of state terrorism with its barbaric attacks on civilian targets and the civilian population. Yesterday's attack on Ukrainian universities is another such act that only further confirms Russia's disrespect for any civilizational values ​​and deep hatred of freedom.

In this context, the Czech Rectors Conference calls on all members of the political representation of the Czech Republic to continue to systematically work together with European partners and allies to ensure that similar crimes committed by Russia do not go unanswered and that support and assistance to Ukraine continue, including support and assistance to workers and students of Ukrainian universities who may be affected or threatened in any way.

Brno, 15 July 2022

On behalf of the Czech Rectors Conference

Prof. Martin Bareš
President