Today marks four years since the disputed presidential election in Belarus and the subsequent repression by the Lukashenka regime. In response, the United States, in coordination with Canada, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, has announced additional sanctions to hold the regime accountable.
The Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on 19 individuals and 14 entities and identified one aircraft as blocked property. Concurrently, the Department of State has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 19 regime officials and their affiliates for actions undermining democracy in Belarus. These actions include misusing Interpol systems to target dissidents abroad, physical abuse and reported torture of pro-democracy activists, disbarring attorneys representing these activists, tracking and arresting citizens critical of the regime on social media, and permitting armed servicemen to violently disperse peaceful protests in 2020.
"We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of almost 1,400 political prisoners held by the Lukashenka regime," stated Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken. "The United States stands with the people of Belarus as they pursue a democratic, sovereign, and prosperous future for their country as part of a Europe that is whole, free and at peace."
The visa restrictions were enacted under Presidential Proclamation 8015 while Treasury's actions were pursuant to Executive Orders 14038 and 14024. Further details can be found in Treasury’s press release.
