EU Council prolongs sanctions against Belarusian officials and businesses until Feb 28, 2022
<p> MINSK, Feb 26 - PrimePress. The EU Council has prolonged until February 28, 2022 the restrictive measures targeting high-level officials responsible for the violent repression and intimidation of peaceful demonstrators, members of the opposition and journalists in Belarus, as well as those responsible for electoral fraud. The EU sanctions also target economic actors, prominent businesspeople and companies benefiting from and/or supporting the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, the EU Council said in a press release on February 25, 2021. </p> <p> </p> <p> “After the fraudulent presidential election in August 2020 and the ensuing wave of demonstrations which have been violently depressed by the Belarusian authorities, the EU has imposed sanctions in October, November and December 2020, thereby signaling to the political and economic actors responsible that their actions and support for the regime should come at a cost,” reads the statement. </p> <p> </p> <p> The restrictive measures consist of a ban on travel to the EU and an asset freeze for listed persons – currently 88 individuals, including Alexander Lukashenko – and an asset freeze applicable to 7 entities. In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed, either directly or indirectly. </p> <p> </p> <p> The EU is closely monitoring the evolution of the situation in Belarus. On February 22, 2021, the Foreign Affairs Council underlined that, in view of the continuing disrespect for fundamental freedoms and human rights, and repression of the Belarusian people and civil society by the authorities, the EU will consider further sanctions. In addition, the EU will continue to support the Belarusian people in their legitimate request for democracy, including through support to civil society and independent media. </p> <p> </p> <p> Massive protest actions against the official voting results began in Belarus after the presidential election of August 9, 2020, in which Lukashenko was declared the winner for the sixth time with 80.1% of the vote. According to official reports, over 7,000 people were detained, hundreds injured, and three killed in the first few days (August 9-11) alone. As many as 2,000 facts of beatings and torture have been reported. After that, European countries, the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies imposed personal sanctions against a group of Belarusian officials, including Lukashenko, and a number of Belarusian companies, Beltechexport, Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, Dana Holdings managed by Serbian businessmen, and Synesis IT company among them. The EU said it would expand the sanctions against Belarus, unless the situation in the country improves. End </p>
2021-02-27
Primepress
EU Council prolongs sanctions against Belarusian officials and businesses until Feb 28, 2022
MINSK, Feb 26 - PrimePress. The EU Council has prolonged until February 28, 2022 the restrictive measures targeting high-level officials responsible for the violent repression and intimidation of peaceful demonstrators, members of the opposition and journalists in Belarus, as well as those responsible for electoral fraud. The EU sanctions also target economic actors, prominent businesspeople and companies benefiting from and/or supporting the regime of Alexander Lukashenko, the EU Council said in a press release on February 25, 2021.
“After the fraudulent presidential election in August 2020 and the ensuing wave of demonstrations which have been violently depressed by the Belarusian authorities, the EU has imposed sanctions in October, November and December 2020, thereby signaling to the political and economic actors responsible that their actions and support for the regime should come at a cost,” reads the statement.
The restrictive measures consist of a ban on travel to the EU and an asset freeze for listed persons – currently 88 individuals, including Alexander Lukashenko – and an asset freeze applicable to 7 entities. In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to those listed, either directly or indirectly.
The EU is closely monitoring the evolution of the situation in Belarus. On February 22, 2021, the Foreign Affairs Council underlined that, in view of the continuing disrespect for fundamental freedoms and human rights, and repression of the Belarusian people and civil society by the authorities, the EU will consider further sanctions. In addition, the EU will continue to support the Belarusian people in their legitimate request for democracy, including through support to civil society and independent media.
Massive protest actions against the official voting results began in Belarus after the presidential election of August 9, 2020, in which Lukashenko was declared the winner for the sixth time with 80.1% of the vote. According to official reports, over 7,000 people were detained, hundreds injured, and three killed in the first few days (August 9-11) alone. As many as 2,000 facts of beatings and torture have been reported. After that, European countries, the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies imposed personal sanctions against a group of Belarusian officials, including Lukashenko, and a number of Belarusian companies, Beltechexport, Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant, Dana Holdings managed by Serbian businessmen, and Synesis IT company among them. The EU said it would expand the sanctions against Belarus, unless the situation in the country improves. End