Belarus. New sanctions from the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada

By Alberto Calvi –

The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada have announced new rounds of sanctions against Belarus’ public and private authorities, companies and institutions in Belarus for violating human rights and fundamental freedoms and non-compliance with international law. Continuing repressive measures.
The United States is targeting 32 officials, companies, government and private companies that support the government of President Alexander Lukashenko. Washington has also imposed restrictions on the Belarusian government’s ability to borrow money.
The EU accuses it of encouraging, coercing and using immigrants as political weapons against its neighbors, promising easy repatriation to the Union on the borders of Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. In addition, the United States and the European Union have condemned Lukashenko’s repression of political discontent since elections began in August 2020.
EU leaders have reiterated that they have decided to allow those involved in the smuggling of migrants to Belarus. The new EU sanctions affect 17 people, 11 companies and various companies. EU sanctions are against officials involved in the immigration crisis and against two airlines: the national carrier Belavia and the Syrian company Sam Wings, which brought migrants to Belarus to aggravate the crisis.
The UK has already imposed sanctions on more than 100 individuals and companies in retaliation for fraudulent elections in Belarus and continued human rights abuses by the Lukashenko regime. London also announced that it would freeze the assets of OJSC Belaruskali, a major source of income for the Lukashenko regime and a major foreign currency, state-owned potash producer. Finally, the UK imposed a property freeze and a travel ban on five members of the Belarusian regime accused of spreading false information.
In response to actions taken under the rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, Canada announced that 24 Belarusian individuals and 7 companies will face sanctions under the Special Economic Activities Act. The Canadian government says sanctions imposed by Canada in August 2021 have not prevented the dictatorship of Belarus. So far 96 Belarusian officials and 12 companies and businesses have been approved by the North American nation. The Canadian federal government has said it has donated more than $ 3 million to Belarusian civil society organizations working to promote democracy in the country.
These measures, taken by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada, reflect a further significant step in putting pressure on members of the regime and dictator Lukashenko.