Students are forced to sign statement condemning EU sanctions
The statement points that students stood against the
sanctions which were prepared with the participation of the Belarusian
opposition. 'Oppositionists were often guided not by the interests of the
Belarusian people, but by their own ones. We are convinced that these people
satisfy their ambitions at the expense of discredit of their home land.
Moreover, we sincerely regret that the image of the Republic of Belarus
is formed only on the basis of words of the persons who aren't known, trusted
and respected in our country,' reads the document.
According to Andrei V., a fourth-year student of the Academy of Management,
the academy ideologists held a talk with the students and told them to actively
speak against the EU sanctions. Those who were living in student dormitories,
were members of the student trade union or the Belarusian Republican Youth
Union were required to sign it first of all. The administration stated that
those who would refuse to do it would face trouble during the summer exams. The
majority of the students put their signatures as a result,' said the student.
The Academy bureau of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union refused to comment
on the statement, but pointed that it was 'for internal use'. But why does it
contain calls to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton then?