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NGOs unveil report on rights violations at universities

 

Three civil society groups on Friday unveiled a report detailing violations of students' and teachers' rights at Belarusian schools of higher learning from September through December 2012.

Drawn up by the Public Bologna Committee, the Center for Development of Student Initiatives and a group called Salidarnasts, the report is based on information provided by universities' students and faculty and some 80 observers, and media reports.

The report noted 21 instances of university administrators compelling students to vote early in September's elections for the House of Representatives. In addition, the report highlighted the practice of forcing students to work in public construction projects, including during preparations for the Dazhynki end-of-harvest festival in Horki, Mahilyow region.

Two professors are believed to have been fired by Hrodna State University on political motives, according to the report.

The report will be sent to the education ministry and international organizations, including European Union institutions.

Uladzimir Dunayew, a prominent educator who leads the Public Bologna Committee, condemned as illegal the establishment of grassroots organizations by Belaya Rus, a pro-government organization that may be turned into a political party, at 23 universities. The Education Code bans political parties and NGOs pursuing political goals from educational establishments, he stressed.

He called on students and faculty to report violations of regulations and academic freedoms at their schools. // BelaPAN