Belarusian Foreign Ministry Concerned About “Arbitrary Arrests” in France

Belarus’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement in connection with student protests in France.

The Foreign Ministry expressed particular concern over the detention of underage protesters. Belarus believes the arrests will only further radicalize the protests.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus is following events in France with deep concern. Reports, including the number of detained protesters approaching 3,000, a significant proportion of whom are minors, indicate an extremely high level of tension in society.

It is clear that the demonstrations are driven by systemic problems in education. However, instead of engaging in dialogue with society, the French authorities are resorting to mass arbitrary arrests, which only further radicalize the protests,” the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry expressed regret that the French authorities are directing funds toward financing “questionable human rights organizations and openly radical groups” and supporting conflicts abroad instead of investing in social services and education.

The Belarusian side also expressed indignation that “Western human rights organizations and politicians are keeping silent today.”

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry called on the French authorities to:

• immediately release all minors detained during the protests;
• conduct an impartial investigation into cases of excessive use of force, particularly against teenagers;
• engage in civilized dialogue with students, their parents and trade unions to address problems in the education system.

Belarus also expressed solidarity with those affected.

Protests by older school students have been continuing in France for several days. They began in Paris and spread across the country. Students are protesting overcrowded classrooms, heavy workloads and teacher shortages. The demonstrations have escalated into clashes with police.