EU extends sanctions against Belarus again
Tue 17 Nov 2009
The European Union has extended its embargo today against Belarus. However, the European Council decided at the same time to extend the suspension of the application of travel restrictions imposed on certain officials of Belarus. Until October 2010 some politicians and high officials will have the opportunity to request a visa to travel to EU countries. At the end of that period, the Council will review the restrictive measures in the light of the situation in the country. In its conclusion the Council stated that it may decide to reapply or lift travel restrictions at any given time, if considering the undemocratic actions by the Belarusian regime, which most of the time concern human rights issues.
The decision was made following the EU’s conclusion that Belarus has made no progress in “addressing its concerns in the area of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including as regards the crackdown on peaceful political actions and the continued denial of registration of many political parties, nongovernmental organisations and independent media.” The Foreign Ministers of the EU also regret the recent death sentences in Belarus and urges Belarus to "introduce a moratorium on the death penalty, as an interim step leading to the early abolition of the death sentence".
For a while now the EU is trying to enhance its relations with the former Soviet country and to improve the democracy in the country. “We have not managed very well yet”, admitted the Swedish Foreign Minister and current holder of EU's rotating Presidency, Carl Bildt. “We are disappointed about the speed in which Belarus is ‘opening up’, but we are not loosing faith.” In its conclusions the Council noted, however, that since October 2008, as a result of the release of some political prisoners, new possibilities have opened up for dialogue and deepened cooperation between the EU and Belarus.
Sources: Charter97; Council of the EU Press release; Volkskrant (Dutch)
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