Mikalai Statkevich: Well Done, Students! Sole Traders To Be Next

The example of the BSU students should be followed by other social groups, whose rights are violated.

Mikalai Statkevich, the leader of the Belarusian opposition, said that to charter97.org, commenting on the today's “March of Love and Solidarity”, organized by the students of the Belarusian State University.

“Well done! You should fight for your rights. If each of us does this, Belarus will become a completely different country, – the politician said. – I welcome this manifestation of dignity in the protection of their social rights. Today’s march is the first case of mass protests of Belarusian students for many years. I hope that this situation has been affected by the demonstrations held this autumn, what I call “the therapy of fear” has worked out. It is very important, as dozens of thousands of students observed the today’s rally.

I hope that other social groups will start fighting for their rights. There is nothing unusual or criminal in that. People around the world come to street rallies if their rights are violated. Very often a peaceful protest brings success. On the eve of the “elections” pensioners came out with social requirements to the Independence Square. Today, the authorities want to tackle the problem of sole traders. Their working conditions have deteriorated significantly, and continue to deteriorate. It hits the interests of millions of consumers. They need to think about how assert their rights publicly.”

Mikalai Statkevich called to show solidarity with the participants of the today's rally in case of crackdown against them.

“Now all of us should monitor the situation, and not to allow the authorities and the leadership of the Belarusian State University to punish those who will be called “organizers” of the march,” – the politician said.

It is to be reminded that more than 200 students in Minsk demanded to abolish the fees for retaking of tests and exams and to establish a real student government. The rally was held in the center of the Belarusian capital.