Tatsyana Shaputska: “Lukashenka shows Europe that it has no influence on his policy”

The press-secretary of the “Young Front” stated that the decision to expel her from the Belarusian State University had been adopted by “serious government institutions”.

On December 3 “Young Front” press-secretary Tatsyana Shaputska was expelled from the faculty of law of the Belarusian State University for her participation in the Civil Society Forum of “Eastern Partnership” in Brussels on November 16-17.

“10 days ago a deputy dean of my faculty told me that serious-minded people in serious agencies took interest in me after my visit to Brussels. On December 3 I was invited to the dean’s office and demonstrated an order on my expulsion signed by the BSU rector. However no reasons were explained for me, and I was said that I could receive a copy of the order in a reception office.

To say the truth, I was shocked. I have good progress and attendance, and a high average score. I was sure that by three-day absence in connection with participation in the Eastern Partnership Forum would result in just an admonition. Reasons for my expulsion haven’t been stated in the copy of the order. According t this document, my expulsion was based upon my explanation note for three days absence and on two office memorandums. I haven’t been explained what kind of memos they were,” Shaputska said.

Tatsyana Shaputska states that she plans apply to the dean with a request to give explanation for her expulsion. “It this won’t happen, I will apply to the court and the Education Ministry, for the rector to retract the order for expulsion,” the press-secretary of the “Young Front” said.

Information about possible expulsion of the activist was received on the first day of the forum. A representative of the European Commission and “Democracy and Human Rights” panel moderator Eugeniusz Smolar posed a question about possible expulsion of Tatsyana Shaputska to the chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions Leanid Kozik, who was taking part in the forum. Kozik answered that in case of Shaputska’s expulsion he would organize a manifestation on her support in the centre of Minsk.

However Tatsyana Shaputska says she is not surprised she has been banished even after a statement by the European Commission representative.

“When on December 3 I learnt that oppositionists were sentenced to 15 days of arrest for staging a performance in the Centre of Minsk, and when I heard Lukashenka’s yesterday’s statement about his relations with Russia, I have nothing to wonder,” Tatsyana Shaputska sais. “Lukashenka has demonstrated that the vector of his policy has changed from European to Russian one. Oppositionists’ arrests and the statement of the Belarusian leader are demonstration trick made on the same day to show Europe it does not have influence on Lukashenka’s policy”.