Mikhail Batura, rector of Belarusian State University of Computer Science and Electronics, told BelaPAN on Tuesday that not a single student had been expelled from the university for participating in the December 19 post-election protest, and that the EU's decision to impose sanctions against him was unfounded.
On March 21, the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU added 19 names to its list of Belarusian citizenssubject to travel bans and asset freezes. The new additions include four rectors of Belarusian higher educational institutions who ordered the expulsion of students for allegedly political reasons.
All students of Belarusian State University of Computer Science and Electronics who were arrested during the December 19 demonstration merely gave written accounts of what had happened, Mr. Batura said. Most of them wrote that they had found themselves at the demonstration accidentally, he added.
All arrested students were allowed to continue their studies and take examinations, and no special orders were given to check their academic records, Mr. Batura said. "The examinations, which ended on January 25, could be retaken until February 8," he said. "Those who failed them were expelled in accordance with regulations."
It is regretful that the EU has decided to declare Belarusian educators personas non-grata, Mr. Batura said. "However, this decision will not affect my morale or performance or our cooperation with European universities," he said.
Belarusian State University of Computer Science and Electronics currently cooperates with about 10 universities in Germany, France and Italy, Mr. Batura said. "I have good vice rectors and there is a person in charge of cooperation with every foreign university," he said. "I think that this cooperation will become more active."
Mechyslaw Chasnowski, rector of Brest State University, also told BelaPAN that he considered the EU sanctions against him unfounded. "I can say without hesitation that I've never allowed anyone to be expelled for political reasons," Mr. Chasnowski said. He acknowledged that his inability to visit the EU might affect the university's international ties. "Sanctions against the top manager have some effect on the entire institution," he said.
