This is what has happened so far:
Thursday 24th of November:
Taciana is threatened that she will be expelled from Belarus State Economic University (BSEU) because she did not inform the rectorate that she was going to France. She is told that they cannot protect her if she does not inform them of her activities. However the laws where this is regulated will no be in force for a couple of months yet.
She asks if she can see the official document of her expulsion but is not allowed to see it.
Later she is interviewed by a person who does not give his surname regarding her work in ESIB, her financial situation and her attitude against Belarus. Later she learns that he is from the secrete police.
Friday 25th of November:
She is officially expelled for BSEU with no possibility to appeal. The document is dated the day before. The expulsion had been on the agenda for the rectorate meeting and her dean and other involved must go.
She is told she must leave her dorm within 3 days, but it turns out she must leave immediately. The dormitory staff is not allowed to go home before she has left her room. The manager who supports Taciana is being pressured for not knowing what Taciana has been doing while she lived there, and must also go.
Taciana meets with her lawyers in the afternoon and will appeal to the ministry of education to overrule the decision of the rectorate.
The following days:
Her friends regard is unsafe for her to be alone and she is very cautious regarding what information she sends via e-mails, and she can no longer use her phone. It is expected that she will be interviewed by the secrete police again.
The rector of BSEU, Mr Vladimir Nikolaevich Shimov, has published a letter on the university’s webpage , where he says that he stays firm on the expulsion of Taciana. This is part of the content:
|
"Miss T. Khoma performed a rude violation of the inner regulations of the University and demonstrated her straight unrespect for BSEU as an organization which is legally and morally responsible for the students' security during their educational process. We consider that Miss Khoma's expulsion from the University was made in accordance with the norms of the Republic of Belarus legislation in the field of education."
|
 |
"I understand your apprehension for the fortune of our former student, but I was surprised by the fact that none of the International organization had applied me beforehand with the request to send Miss Khoma on the official trip to France. I would also like to note that on making the decision for the expulsion of Miss Khoma the political reasons were not taken into account."
ESIB chairperson Vanja Ivosevic comments: "I think the main reason why no one asked the rectors' permission to send Taciana to France is the simple fact that this course of action is unheard of anywhere else in Europe! It is a human right to move and travel freely."
Here you can see what Reuter published about Taciana.
European University Association (EUA) suspends Belarus State Economic University membership.
Following the decision by the Belarus State Economic University to expel a fourth year student, Ms Taciana Khoma, for participating in a meeting of the National Unions of Students in Europe (ESIB) without the permission of the university, EUA has suspended the university's EUA membership, and calls upon its members to cease all cooperation with the institution, until the university is able to guarantee the common values and principles of European universities.
On 25 November, EUA President, Professor Georg Winckler, on behalf of EUA's individual and collective members, addressed a letter to the Rector of the university, Professor Shimov,
Despite this letter, Ms Khoma was expelled on Friday, 25 November, and ejected immediately from the university dormitory where she was living. On 29 November, Professor Winckler wrote again to Professor Shimov, insisting that this decision be revoked immediately. Professor Shimov has not yet answered these letters.
The Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions (UHR) is a member of EUA.
Follow this link to read the full statement from EUA.
