On September 29, the United Kingdom and Canada announced sanctions against a total of eight individuals, including Belarusian President Lukashenka and his eldest son and national security advisor Viktor. British Foreign Secretary Raab said, “Today, Britain and Canada have sent a clear message by imposing sanctions against Lukashenko’s violent and fraudulent regime. We do not accept the outcome of this rigged election.”
According to a statement released by the U.K. Foreign Office, the eight Belarus officials subject to the British sanctions include, in addition to Lukashenko, his eldest son and national security advisor Viktor Lukashenko, the president’s chief of staff Igor Sergeenko, Interior Minister Yuri Karayev, Deputy Alexander Barsukov, Minister of the Interior and Chief of the Public Security Police, Yuri Nazarenko, Deputy Minister of the Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Forces, Khazalbek Atabekov, Deputy Commander of the Internal Security Forces, and Dmitry Balabash, Chief of the Minsk Special Operations Police. (Balaba).
The British statement reads, “The Lukashenko regime is responsible for a series of human rights violations against opposition figures, the media and the Belarusian people in the aftermath of the elections. Despite numerous appeals from the international community, it refused to engage in dialogue with the opposition, choosing instead to redouble his violent repression.” The sanctions imposed by the UK reportedly include a travel ban and asset freeze on the above eight individuals. Similar sanctions have been imposed on them by Canada. Previously, Britain and France had already called for an independent investigation into White Russia’s flawed election and human rights abuses under the auspices of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. In addition, London has pledged to double its financial support for human rights organizations, independent media and community institutions in Belarus to 1.5 million pounds over the next two years.
Rabb said, “Today, the UK and Canada have sent a clear message by imposing sanctions against Lukashenko’s violent and fraudulent regime. We do not accept the results of this rigged election. “We will hold accountable those who unleashed atrocities against the people of Belarus and defend our values of democracy and human rights,” he continued.” In addition, Canadian Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne also said through a statement, “As the Belarusian government continues to commit systematic human rights abuses and shows no sign of a genuine commitment to finding a negotiated solution with opposition groups, Canada will not stand by silently. Canada and the United Kingdom are acting together to ensure that these sanctions have greater impact and to show solidarity in our condemnation of the situation. Canada stands in solidarity with the people of Belarus as they work to restore human rights and achieve democracy in their country.”
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron met with exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius the same day and pledged to mediate between the Belarusian opposition and the government. Macron said that France plans to begin mediation in the coming days or weeks and hopes to draw on the strength of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He stressed that France does not recognize Lukashenko’s re-election as president of Belarus, and that German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Michel will push Belarus to accept mediation, “Our goal is to achieve a peaceful transition (of the Belarusian regime), the release of those imprisoned for expressing their political views, and the holding of free elections under international supervision. “The day of the meeting with Macron was the most high-profile meeting to date.
The day’s meeting with Macron was the highest-profile meeting of Tikhanovskaya’s to date. Previously, she had addressed the UN Human Rights Council and the European Parliament, and met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as well as the national leaders of Poland and Lithuania. Tihanovskaya noted that the crisis should be resolved as soon as possible and that new free and fair elections should be held before the end of the year. After her meeting with Macron, she is expected to address the French Parliament.
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