Karnei Piatrovich vs. Baranavichy State University

On 11 September the preliminary court sitting on the lawsuit of the lawyer Karnei Piatrovich against Baranavichy State University took place.

According to the human rights defender Siarhei Housha, Mr. Piatrovich worked at the financial-juridical faculty of Baranavichy branch of the Institute of Jurisprudence seven years as a lecturer. During the last four years he also headed a department there. Then he was transferred to the newly established Baranavichy State University. However, the labor contract was not extended to him because of his participation in the parliamentary elections 2004. That’s why he had to look for a new job.

In spring 2009 Mr. Piatrovich took part in the contest for the vacant position of lecturer to the financial-juridical faculty of Baranavichy State University. His candidacy was not approved by the university soviet. No explanations were offered. The seat remained vacant by September. However, at the trial the representative of the university Zhana Karchyk stated that all positions were occupied.

In his lawsuit Mr. Piatrovich also states that some the people working at the university have neither pedagogical education, nor education in the subjects they are teaching. In general, there are only 7 staff lecturers out of 26. The rest are temporary ones.

Karnei Piatrovich entered a motion for obliging the university to present to the court the list of the persons working at the university, including their service record, education data, the number of scientific works, etc. However, the university representatives stated a protest against this motion.

Mr. Piatrovich also reminded that in April 2009, when his application was considered by the university soviet, he was asked ‘We have Belaya Rus organization, and you are in Shushkevich’s Party. Can you say how it could be combined?’ He considers the refusal to employ him as politically motivated discrimination.

The next court sitting is scheduled for 22 September.