The US Department of State introduced visa restrictions for 39 people involved in ” undermining Belarusian democracy “. New sanctions are reported in Statement by United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“The State Department took measures (…), identifying 39 persons responsible for undermining Belarusian democracy, and introduced visa restrictions in relation to them,” the message says. It is clarified that the number of citizens who have come under Washington’s sanctions in connection with the above reason has reached 63.
The message also indicates that Washington “continues to support international efforts to independently investigate violations” that allegedly took place in the elections in Belarus. “We are in solidarity with the Belarusian people and support their right to free and fair elections,” the statement reads.
Earlier it was reported that US Treasury introduced new sanctions against one individual and four organizations from Belarus due to the” undermining of democratic processes and institutions “in country. The first deputy head Ministry of Internal Affairs Belarus Gennady Kazakevich, the Central Commission of Belarus on elections and holding republican referendums, the Central Internal Affairs Directorate of Minsk, the Minsk OMON detachment and the special forces of the KGB “Alfa”.
December 17 European Union approved the third package of sanctions against Belarus in connection with” continuing repression against civil society. ” 29 new names and 7 enterprises were added to the sanctions list. Great Britain joined the new sanctions on December 18.
Minsk responded in a mirror to the new restrictions and expanded its own sanctions list by banning entry of a number of persons from the EU countries. In addition to imposing personal sanctions, the Belarusian leadership decided to restrict the activities of a number of political foundations, various humanitarian and educational programs, including those under the patronage of foreign embassies.