Russian college forces students to sign document prohibiting them from protesting

Cheboksary Electromechanical College has made it mandatory for its students to sign a set of institutional rules that include a prohibition on attending protest actions. The RFE/RL project Idel.Realii obtained a copy of the document.

The rules prohibit students from smoking on campus, using alcohol and drugs, using profanity, or displaying Nazi symbols, among other things. In forbidding students from participating in pickets, protests, and demonstrations, the document cites Article 20.2 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Violations, falsely claiming that the law does not allow minors to protest publicly. (Russia does have a law that prohibits recruiting minors for events that have not received a permit.)

The punishments available for Cheboksary Electromechanical College students who violate the institution’s rules include administrative sanctions and expulsion.