#Belarus - EU will use sanctions and offers to act as a mediator to resolve crisis

Women lead protests in Belarus @TadeuszGiczan

Today (14 August), at a hastily organized informal EU foreign affairs council, ministers discussed a number of pressing issues including the current situation in Belarus, following presidential elections that took place on Sunday (9 August). 

The EU issued a statement on Tuesday (11 August) stating that it did not consider the elections to be either free or fair. The EU also condemned the unacceptable use of violence, resulting in at least one death and many injuries; as well as calling for the release of the thousands of people detained. 

Concluded good and constructive #FAC.

Eastern Med: Full solidarity w/ Greece&Cyprus; calling Turkey for immediate deescalation and reengaging in dialogue.

Belarus: EU doesn't accept election results. Work begins on sanctioning those responsible for violence & falsification.

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 14, 2020

Following the ministerial meeting, ministers reiterated their call on the Belarusian authorities to stop the disproportionate and unacceptable use of violence against peaceful protesters, and for the immediate release of all unlawfully detained persons. 

Прыніжэнне, лаянка, удары, пагрозы — супрацоўнікі АМАП упіваюцца ўладай, а затрыманых не лічаць за людзей. https://t.co/uuFf1daM9Q

— Еўрарадыё (@euroradio) August 13, 2020

Ministers said that in light of shocking reports of inhumane treatment and detention conditions, the European Union expects a thorough and transparent investigation into all alleged abuses, in order to hold those responsible to account.

The European Union considers the results to have been falsified and therefore does not accept the results of the election as presented by the Belarus Central Election Commission. The European Union will, therefore, put forward to the Belarusian authorities a proposal for EU support in establishing and facilitating a dialogue between the political authorities, opposition and broader society with a view of resolving the current crisis. EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell will begin work on this proposal immediately. The ministers also agreed to the need for sanctions for those responsible for violence, repression, and the falsification of election results. 

Мінск. На чале аднаго са шматтысячных ланцугоў жаночай салідарнасці ў Мінску нясуць ікону! pic.twitter.com/bwvEQyYS9p

— Еўрарадыё (@euroradio) August 13, 2020

The ministers agreed to review EU-Belarus relations at their upcoming informal meeting at the end of August. As part of this review, the European Union will look at how to increase its support to the Belarusian people, including through enhanced engagement with and financial support to civil society, additional support to independent media, and increasing opportunities for student and academic mobility.

Later on, Neighbourhood Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi said on Radio Free Europe that sanctions were likely to be adopted before the end of the month. He said that the EU also intended to create a fund for victims of the repressive actions taken by Belarus security forces over the past few days.

EU Commissioner @OliverVarhelyi commented to @RFERL :
- Sanctions on Belarus likely to be adopted on Aug 27-28 in Berlin.
- The @EU_Commission will create a fund for victims of repressions.
- EU will send a fact-finding mission. It is likely election will have to be held again.

— Franak Viačorka (@franakviacorka) August 14, 2020

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