2023-08-09 22:37:19
Three years following the violent crackdown on mass protests in Belarus by ruler Alexander Lukashenko, the United States has imposed further sanctions on the country. Business relations with the state-owned airline Belavia are criminalized. In addition, 101 Belarusian officials, judges and other people responsible for undermining democracy will be denied entry, the State Department said in Washington on Wednesday.
In the presidential election in Belarus in August 2020, Lukashenko was confirmed for his sixth term according to the official result. This triggered mass protests, which were brutally suppressed.
The United States “continues to stand with the brave Belarusian people who aspire to a country founded on the rule of law, respect for human rights and an accountable, democratically elected government,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
At the same time, Canada also announced new sanctions once morest Belarus. Coordinated measures are planned by the European Union, Great Britain and New Zealand, according to the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said there might be no impunity for human rights violators. In addition, the support “of the Belarusian regime for the brazen actions of the Russian leadership will not go unpunished”.
Lukashenko is considered the closest ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In connection with the Ukraine war and because of the suppression of the Belarusian opposition, the EU has already imposed sanctions on Minsk several times since 2020.
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