On 2 December 2021, the Council of the European Union imposed new restrictive measures on Belarus. The restrictive measures were expanded in response to the violations of human rights perpetrated by the Belarus regime, its repression of civil society, disregard for international norms, and a hybrid attack on the EU’s external border.
The restrictive measures now apply to individuals and entities involved in organising illegal migration and repression, including Belavia Airlines and Cham Wings Airlines, companies in the tourism sector, members of the judicial branch and other officials, as well as state-owned companies close to the regime.
The expansion of sanctions against the Belarus regime took place in coordination with the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The EU and its like-minded partners call for the Lukashenka regime to immediately halt the flow of irregular migration to the EU, release its almost nine hundred political prisoners, cease repression of civil society, implement the recommendations of the independent expert mission under the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Moscow Mechanism and take meaningful action to address the concerns raised under the OSCE Vienna Mechanism.
The regime should enter into comprehensive and genuine political dialogue with representatives of the democratic opposition and civil society, facilitated by the OSCE, leading to new free and fair presidential elections under international observation.
If the unlawful activity by the Belarus regime persists, Latvia will support further increase in the sanctions pressure and the implementation of the sixth round of sanctions.
The EU and Latvia will continue supporting the Belarusian civil society in the fight for democracy and respect for human rights. Latvia’s current support is aimed at providing direct assistance to those injured in protests and to victims of repression, as well as to the independent media and journalists.