EU: Fifth package of sanctions against Belarus

The EU has adopted the fifth package of sanctions on Belarus, including human rights abuses and the Lukashenko regime.

In particular, the Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 17 individuals and 11 entities in view of the situation in Belarus.

Today’s ruling targets prominent members of the judiciary, including the Supreme Court and the State Audit Committee, as well as propaganda tools that contribute to the ongoing crackdown on civil society, the democratic opposition, the independent media and journalists.

The decision also targets high-ranking Lukashenko regime political officials, as well as companies (such as Belavia Airlines), tour operators and hotels that helped incite and organize illegal border crossings through Belarus to the EU and thus participate in its for political purposes.

In total, EU restrictive measures in Belarus now apply to a total of 183 individuals and 26 entities. Those identified are subject to asset freezing and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from holding funds in them. Individuals are also subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or leaving EU territory.

“The European Union will not tolerate the orchestrated and politically motivated instrumentalization of the people by the Lukashenko regime. This cynical strategy of exploiting vulnerable people is a heinous attempt to divert attention from the regime’s continuing The EU stands united in addressing this challenge and is using all the tools at its disposal to repel efforts to create a crisis on the EU ‘s borders. “The fifth set of sanctions is another example of our determination to act when human rights are violated,” said EU High Representative Josep Borrell.

The European Union (EU) strongly condemns the Lukashenko regime for deliberately endangering the lives and well-being of people and inciting the crisis at the EU’s external borders in a bid to divert attention from the situation in Belarus, where brutal repression and human rights violations continue and worsen.

The Council is closely monitoring the internal situation in Belarus and will continue to address state-funded illegal immigration organized by the Lukashenko regime.

The EU stands ready to support a peaceful, democratic transition through a variety of means, including a comprehensive financial support plan for a democratic Belarus. The EU is also ready to take further action, including against other economic actors, if the situation in Belarus does not improve.

SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ