Europe adopts further package of sanctions targeting Belarus

The Council decided today to impose a further round of restrictive measures on an additional 17 individuals and 11 entities in view of the deteriorating situation in Belarus.

The fifth round of sanctions targets prominent members of the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court, and the State Control Committee, as well as propaganda outlets, contributing to continuing repression of civil society, democratic opposition, independent media outlets and journalists.

The decision also targets high-ranking political officials of the Lukashenko regime, as well as companies (such as Belavia Airlines), tour operators and hotels that have helped incite and organise illegal border crossings through Belarus to the EU.

Altogether, EU restrictive measures on Belarus now apply to a total of 183 individuals and 26 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban preventing them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said: “The European Union will not tolerate the orchestrated and politically motivated  instrumentalisation of human beings by the Lukashenko regime. This cynical strategy of exploiting vulnerable people is an abhorrent attempt to deflect attention from the regime’s continued disregard for international law, fundamental freedoms and human rights.”

Joint statement

In addition to today’s sanctions, the EU, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America presented a joint statement condemning Lukashenko’s continuing attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms, disregard for international norms and repeated acts of repression, calling for the release of 900 political prisoners.

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