UK plans human rights sanctions against Belarus
Britain is preparing sanctions on individuals allegedly involved in human rights violations in Belarus, working with the United States and Canada to hold President Alexander Lukashenko and his government accountable.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told the House of Commons in London yesterday that in light of the European Union’s delay in preparing its own sanctions, the UK would join other allies to adopt targeted sanctions against those responsible for abuses.
Thousands of Belarusians took to the streets of the capital of Minsk and other cities on Thursday, protesting the unannounced inauguration of President Alexander Lukashenko that took place that morning. Police fiercely dispersed the crowds; in Minsk, officers used truncheons and water cannons, injuring dozens. More than 360 protesters were detained.
Protests in Belarus continued yesterday, part of seven weeks of rallies against the authoritarian leader’s re-election, which the opposition says was rigged.
The EU said swearing in Lukashenko to a sixth term lacks democratic legitimacy, defies the will of the Belarusian people and will only deepen the country’s political crisis.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reiterated that the 27-nation bloc did not recognise the result of the August 9 election that kept Lukashenko in power after 26 years.
On Tuesday, EU foreign ministers failed to impose sanctions on Belarus officials suspected of election fraud or of playing a part in a brutal security crackdown on the post-election protests, despite appeals from Lukashenko’s main opponent to take courageous action against his regime.
Cyprus continues to block the sanctions until similar measures are slapped on Turkey for its disputed energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.