The European Union (E.U.) has sanctioned the embattled President of Belarus – Alexander Lukashenko along with 15 other officials over repression of pro-democracy movement, following the Presidential polls of August 2020.
The sanctioned list also includes Lukashenko’s son – Viktor Lukashenko who is the National Security Advisor of Belarus, Lukashenko’s Chief of Staff – Igor Sergeenko, Head of Belarus’s KGB Secret Service – Ivan Tertel and Lukashenko’s Press Officer.
Owing to violent repression and intimidation of peaceful demonstrators, opposition members and journalists, all the sanctioned officials have been subject to travel ban and all their assets in Europe will be frozen. Besides, people of Europe, lending institutions and companies have been directed not to invest or lend to the sanctioned people.
Lukashenko is accused of rigging the August 9, 2020 polls. However, Lukashenko has denied all allegations of vote-rigging. It is believed he sought help from Russia to stay in power. As per the results, over 80% votes were in favour of Lukashenko. This was followed by mass protest across the country where people demanded his immediate resignation. The protests are still being held every Sunday.
Despite mass opposition, Lukashenko held an abrupt swearing-in ceremony at the Palace of Independence in the capital city of Minsk. The E.U. and United States (U.S.) have refused to recognise him as the leader of Belarus. A report looking into the election and subsequent crackdown, published by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said human rights abuses were found to be massive and systematic and proven beyond doubt.
Referring to report, the Foreign Secretary of United Kingdom – Dominic Raab said the OSCE report has exposed the fraud at the heart of the presidential elections.
Taking it to twitter, Raab tweeted, “Findings of today’s independent report into Belarusian elections presented @OSCE are a damning indictment of Lukashenko’s regime. Essential that its recommendations are carried out & fresh elections held. We will continue to stand with the Belarusian people in their hour of need.”
He further tweeted, “The UK imposed #Magnitsky sanctions on Belarus, including on Lukashenko, at the end of September. I am pleased to see the EU now adopting similar sanctions. We are committed to holding those who violate human rights to account.”
The EU has told the Belarus that they must stop the police violence and release the detained civilian and activists. Lukashenko has ignored the calls for negotiations to re-run the election under free and fair conditions and to end police brutality.
Lukashenko has blamed European nations, in particular Poland and Lithuania, of trying to force regime change. For the records, Lukashenko is Europe’s longest-serving ruler. He came to power in 1994 after the amid the chaos caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Often referred as Europe’s “last dictator”, he has tried to preserve elements of Soviet communism.
