Switzerland expands sanctions against Belarus

<p> MINSK, Aug 12 - PrimePress. Switzerland on 11 Aug 2021 introduced new economic sanctions against Belarus, including controls on trade in certain goods and restrictions in the financial sector, according to a statement posted on the official website of the Federal Council of Switzerland. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The new package of economic sanctions on Belarus follows similar decisions taken by the European Union in June, the document says. Further to the already existing embargo, sanctions are introduced against goods that can be used to monitor or intercept Internet or phone communications. “The new sanctions also restrict trade in dual-use goods and technologies, various petroleum and potassium chloride (potash) products, and goods used for the production or processing of tobacco products,” says the document. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Concerning the financial sector, new sanctions are introduced "on the issuance of and trading in certain financial instruments and also the provision of loans and insurance or reinsurance services to the Belarusian government and other public bodies and agencies." Sanctions also hit the Belarusian provider of air navigation services Belaeronavigatsiya, Belinvestbank, and Belagroprombank. </p> <p>   </p> <p> The new sanctions took effect on Wednesday, 11 Aug 2021 at 19:00 Minsk Time. </p> <p>   </p> <p> Switzerland first imposed sanctions against Belarus in 2006 in protest against what it called violations of the rule of law and human rights abuse. </p> <p>   </p> <p> In June 2021, Switzerland joined the European Union in imposing sanctions on the Belarusian economy in response to an escalation of serious human rights violations, repression of civil society, the democratic opposition and journalists, as well as the forced landing of a Ryanair plane in Minsk on 23 May 2021 and the related detention of journalists Roman Protasevich and Sofia Sapega. </p> <p>   </p> <p> As previously reported, the United States on 9 Aug 2021 introduced sanctions against 23 individuals and 21 companies from Belarus, including Belaruskali, Absolutbank, Energo-Oil, New Oil Company, Bremino Group, Grodno Tobacco Factory, the National Olympic Committee and the Investigation Committee of Belarus. </p> <p>   </p> <p> On 9 August 2021, the UK and Canada also imposed sanctions against major sectors of the Belarusian economy, including potash and oil refining, government securities and money market instruments, as well as dual-use goods and technologies and the aviation industry. End </p>

2021-08-13

Primepress