The Council of the European Union announced on Monday that it has decided to extend sanctions against Belarus for a year for its support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and for human rights violations.
In a statement, the Council justifies the decision with the “continued seriousness of the internal situation” in Belarus and the country’s “continued involvement” in the “Russian aggression against Ukraine”. Thus, sanctions against Belarus will remain in force until February 28, 2024.
Since August 2020, the European Union (EU) has imposed several sanctions against those responsible for internal repression and human rights violations in Belarus and in the context of Belarus’ involvement in the war in Ukraine, targeting political and economic actors.
The restrictive measures include a travel ban to the EU, asset freezes of listed individuals and institutions (195 natural persons, including Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko) and 34 entities.
Belarus also remains subject to targeted economic sanctions, including restrictions on the financial sector, trade, dual-use goods, technology and telecommunications, energy, transport and others,” the EU Council announced in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, by assuring that it is “determined to resolve the human rights situation in that country” and making itself available to “support the Belarusian people in their legitimate demand for democracy”.
Source: DN
