Belarus: EU adopts new round of restrictive measures over internal repression

On 3 June, the Council imposed restrictive measures on an additional 12 individuals and 8 entities for their role in the ongoing internal repression and human rights abuses in Belarus. These measures are in addition to those taken on the same day in the context of Belarus’ involvement in Russia’s war against Ukraine and represent the sixth round of sanctions (since October 2020) against the Lukashenko regime related to the internal situation in Belarus.

The sanctions target prominent individuals responsible for continued human rights violations or seriously undermining democracy and the rule of law in Belarus. The listed individuals are responsible for the repression of civil society and the democratic opposition, or benefit from and support the Lukashenko regime. 

“This illegitimate regime continues widespread human rights violations and brutal repression against all segments of the Belarusian society. The European Union continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Belarus,”  said EU High Representative Josep Borrell.

The new listings include high ranking state officials, businessmen and their family, members of the judicial branch, and prominent propagandists, responsible for spreading disinformation and calling for violence.

This round of sanctions also targets companies such as Belaruskali, Belarus’s main potash producer, and its export arm, Belarusian Potash Co., the state television and radio broadcasting company Belteleradio, as well as other companies manufacturing tobacco and public transport vehicles.

Altogether, EU restrictive measures on Belarus now apply to a total of 195 individuals and 35 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, which impedes them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The EU says it is also ready to adopt further restrictive measures, if the situation in the country does not improve.

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Press release