Deutsche Welle, 15 October 2012
The
European Union has voted to extend sanctions against Belarus, citing the
country's failure to improve its human rights record. Belarus condemned the
action, saying it "suits neither side."
In a
statement Monday, the Council of the European Union said it "remains
gravely concerned about the lack of respect for human rights, democracy and the
rule of law," in Belarus.
"The
Council again calls upon the Belarusian authorities to stop the harassment of
civil society, the political opposition and the independent media," the
organization added, calling for the immediate release of political prisoners.
Sanctions
extended
"The
Council decided to prolong the existing restrictive measures" until
October 31, 2013, it said.
The Council
also called the September 23 parliamentary elections, in which all 109 winning
candidates came from pro-establishment parties, "another missed
opportunity" for democratic progress. Monitors from the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe said many opposition figures were blocked
from participating.
The
extended sanctions were first imposed on March 23. Since then, the EU has
targeted individuals and companies linked to Belarus, banning visas and
freezing the assets of 243 individuals and 32 companies due to their
association with President Alexander Lukashenko's government.
Belarus
condemns the move
Belarus
condemned the EU's move on Monday, with foreign ministry spokesman Andrei
Savinykh saying in a statement the decision "essentially freezes relations
between Belarus and the European Union at a level that objectively suits
neither side."
"The
Belarusian side will not give in to pressure," he added. "We believe
that such EU policies are not compatible with good-neighborly relations."
EU foreign
ministers have said the sanctions come as part of a policy of "critical
engagement" with Lukashenko. The Belarusian president, who has been dubbed
"Europe's last dictator," has run the country since 1994.
dr/ccp (Reuters, AFP, dpa)
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