EU Expands Sanctions on Belarus Over Democratic Crackdown

The European Union has ramped up its pressure on Belarus, imposing fresh sanctions on 25 individuals and seven entities accused of undermining democracy and the rule of law in the country.

The latest measures, announced on Thursday, underscore the EU’s ongoing condemnation of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko’s grip on power.

Among the newly sanctioned entities is the Belarus Central Election Commission, a body that played a key role in overseeing the recent presidential election.

The election, which took place in January, saw Lukashenko—one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies—extend his 31-year rule in what Western governments have widely dismissed as a fraudulent process.

The Belarusian president’s re-election was met with skepticism and outright rejection by much of the international community.

Electoral officials declared him the winner, but Western nations, including those within the EU, have denounced the vote as neither free nor fair. The latest sanctions serve as a direct response to what the EU views as ongoing human rights violations and suppression of political opposition in Belarus.

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Since mass protests erupted against Lukashenko’s rule in 2020, his government has intensified its crackdown on dissent.

Political opponents, activists, and independent media outlets have faced arrests, intimidation, and exile. The EU’s new sanctions aim to hold those responsible accountable while signaling continued support for democratic forces in Belarus.

With tensions between the EU and Belarus at a high, the sanctions add to the growing isolation of Lukashenko’s regime. However, given his close ties with Moscow, it remains to be seen whether these measures will significantly alter the political landscape in Belarus. For now, the EU appears determined to keep up the pressure, reinforcing its stance against authoritarianism and electoral manipulation.

REUTERS