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?