Parties and religious organisations to be banned in Belarusian universities

Belarusian “parliamentarians” are drafting a new project of the Education Code.

The chairman of the Education, culture and scientific and technical progress of the lower chamber of the “parliament” Uladzimir Zdanovich addressing the extended session of the Commission stated that the draft Education Code includes a ban on activities of political parties and religious organisations in universities, BelaPAN informs.

“Higher education in Belarus is to remain secular,” he said.

At the same time, Zdanovich reminded that The Holy Cyril and Methodius Institute of theology” Theology Institute. “We should either turn the blind eye to that, or to spell it out in a separate line in the Code,” he said.

The draft Code on Education is being prepared in the “chamber of representatives” to be passed in a second reading.

We remind that at the session on December 11, 2009 deputies of the “chamber of representatives” passed the draft law “On Status of military servicemen” in the second reading. The draft law bans participation in activities of political parties and public associations which pursue political goals. Citizens drafted to military service would be required to suspend their membership in such organisations.