European Union strengthens sanctions against Belarus

European Union strengthens sanctions against Belarus

2011-06-22 03:10:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

LUXEMBOURG (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union on Tuesday strengthened its sanctions previously imposed on Belarus due to alleged human rights violations, lack of democracy, and the rule-of-law situation.

The European Council decided to impose a new arms embargo and an export ban on materials that might be used for repressing citizens. In addition, further names were added to the list of individuals subjected to the EU travel restrictions and assets freeze.

The international Slavonic community and its Ukrainian counterpart, the Slavonic Committee of Ukraine, condemned the European Union and U.S. sanctions imposed on Belarus and labeled them as "one-sided."

In addition, representatives of the Ukraine's Slavonic civil organization held rallies and protests at the diplomatic offices of some European Union member states, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy and other prominent EU countries.

In late May, the United States announced new sanctions against select Belarusian state-owned enterprises that will be added to the travel restrictions and asset freezes announced on January 31.

The sanctions stemmed from the persecution of protesters and opposition candidates following the December 2010 presidential elections in which President Alexander Lukashenko was re-elected amidst claims of fraud by the opposition.

More than 600 citizens of Belarus were detained after the December 19 demonstration in central Minsk following the reelection of Lukashenko, who has ruled the country for more than 15 years and is leading the country for a fourth term after amassing almost 80 percent of the vote.

The United States and European Union have condemned the crackdown on the opposition in Belarus and imposed sanctions against Lukashenko and more than 160 top Belarusian officials.

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