Students’ Protest In Minsk (Online)

More than 200 students demanded to abolish fees for resitting exams, and to have a student self-governance.

On December 2 in downtown Minsk a student rally Love and Solidarity March was held. It was organised in social networks by a community #studentsagainst, and had more than 200 participants.

Students went from Mikhailauski Park to the main building of the BSU, where they wanted to meet with the rector. However the passage was shut for them. During the rally policemen drew up reports against protesters. Students were holding posters: “Solidarity Is Our Power, Don’t Keep Silent, Fight For Your Rights,” “I am a part of the BSU, and the BRYU is a marionette.”

One of the participants of the rally stated that he was a 2nd year student of the faculty of philology, and he came to protest against lawlessness of the authorities. He brought his friends with him.

Anna, a student of the 3rd year of the faculty of sociology and social sciences, stated that she joined the protest as she was against fees for exam resitting.

Students spread out a carpet on the porch of the main building of the BSU, and chanted: “Rector should be called out on the carpet!” However, the BSU rector Siarhei Ablameika didn’t dare to meet with the protesters. According to information of human rights activists, about 20 reports were drawn up during the rally.

We remind that the disputes between students and administration of the BSU started after the university revealed its plans to impose fees for retaking exams and tests. University youth was indignant at that. students collected more than 2500 signatures against that, and protest groups emerged in social networks. Their participants announced their plans to file a complaint with the Prosecutor’s Office against the university, if fees for resitting exams are imposed.

Despite the protests, on November 12 the BSU rector signed the resolution about fees for retaking exams. In response activists planned holding the Student March in Minsk.