BSU: No special document on student’s responsibility for participation in rallies

Everything is regulated by the Internal code of conduct.

“Nasha Niva” editorial office has received a letter telling that “there is an idea to make all students of mechanical and mathematics department of the Belarusian State University sing a document about responsibility for participation in rallies and flash mobs, so that in case someone is detained, there would be a possibility to expel the student immediately.”

The dean of the mechanical and mathematics department of the BSU Dzmitry Myadzvedzeu noted that “someone is going to make a lot of fuss about nothing.” As said by him, students are offered to sign the text that they had been familiarized with the Internal code of conduct.

And the Internal Code of conduct does not have a single word about rallies and demonstrations. The dean noted that it is a usual practice.

The educational work board of the BSU has informed that it was a provocation, and there is no special document like this. “That's the first I've heard of it. There is no such document at the level of the university,” said deputy chairman of the board Alyaksei Bahamazau.

It’s true, there is no such clause in the BSU Internal code of conduct which limits participation of students in meetings or demonstrations. But the document reads that a student should not commit criminally or administratively punishable acts.

In case of a violation a student could be expelled from the university. Formally it means that one can take part in protest rallies, but one should avoid getting into the hands of policemen and into the focus of cameras.