The Swiss Federal Council announced on Dec. 11 that it has expanded sanctions against Belarus. Financial sanctions and travel bans were imposed on 15 individuals, including President Alexander Lukashenko and his son and national security adviser Viktor Lukashenko. The new measures took effect at 6 p.m. local time on Dec. 11.
A statement issued by the Swiss government on Friday noted that the sanctions are in line with the EU decision taken on Nov. 6, 2020. The 15 new individuals added to the list in Annex 1 of the regulation on measures against Belarus are allegedly responsible for the use of violence and arbitrary arrests in the aftermath of the disputed general elections in Belarus. The sanctioned individuals include President Lukashenko, and his son and National Security Advisor Viktor Lukashenko. The individuals concerned have been banned from entering or traveling in Switzerland. Their assets will be frozen and they must immediately report to the Swiss Security Council.
In addition, the Swiss Federal Council has decided to amend the ordinance to include armaments and materiel that could be used for internal repression in the embargo to Belarus. The EU imposed a similar embargo in 2011. To date, Switzerland has largely implemented this embargo under existing legislation on war materiel and dual-use goods. By imposing an embargo on arms and materiel that could be used for internal repression, the Swiss Federal Council is reacting to the ongoing repression of civil society and opposition groups in Belarus.
The statement said Switzerland is deeply concerned about the current tensions and called for dialogue between the Belarusian government and civil society. Switzerland urged Belarus to respect its international human rights obligations. These obligations include respecting freedom of expression, assembly and association, releasing all persons arbitrarily detained and investigating allegations of torture or ill-treatment by security forces.
Recent Comments