The office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya is ready to cooperate with EHU and international partners to preserve the work of the European Humanities University, which was declared an “extremist organisation” by Belarus’s Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Today, Office Director Dzianis Kuchynski met with EHU Rector Vilius Šadauskas. On behalf of the office, Kuchynski expressed support and stressed that the decision to declare EHU an “extremist organisation” was a serious blow to the academic community and freedom of education.
“This is undoubtedly an attack on the academic community and academic freedom. It is probably the strongest blow to EHU since 2004, when the university was forced to continue its work in exile in Vilnius.
And for me personally, as a graduate of this university, my alma mater, this is an absolutely abnormal situation that goes beyond all limits.
It is also a blow to Lithuania and evidence that the regime continues to escalate both inside Belarus and in its relations with international partners and neighbours,” Kuchynski said.
According to him, Tsikhanouskaya’s office is ready to work with EHU and international partners to find solutions that will allow the university to continue its activities despite pressure from the Belarusian authorities.
The European Humanities University also commented on the Belarusian court’s decision on Wednesday. The university said it would continue operating in accordance with the principles of open dialogue, knowledge and freedom of speech.
