Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/214 amending Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Belarus

Summary:

Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/214 amending Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against Belarus.

Further information:

On 17 February 2020, the Council of the European Union adopted a Decision to prolong the restrictive measures against Belarus for one year, until 28 February 2021. These measures include an embargo on arms and on equipment that could be used for internal repression, as well as an asset freeze and travel ban against four people designated in connection with the unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist.

The Council also prolonged the derogation to the restrictive measures to allow the export of biathlon equipment and limited number of specific-use sporting rifles and sporting pistols to Belarus, which remain subject to prior authorisation by national competent authorities on a case by case basis.

The sanctions against Belarus were initially introduced in 2004 in response to the disappearance of the four persons referred to above. Additional restrictive measures were adopted in 2011 against those involved in the violation of international electoral standards and international human rights law, as well as in the crackdown on civil society and democratic opposition. The arms embargo was introduced in the same year.

Official

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 17/02/2020: Belarus: EU prolongs arms embargo and sanctions against 4 individuals for one year https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2020/02/17/belarus-eu-prolongs-arms-embargo-and-sanctions-against-4-individuals-for-one-year/

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News

RFE/RL, 12/02/2020: EU Envoys Agree One-Year Extension Of Belarus Sanctions https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-envoys-agree-one-year-extension-of-belarus-sanctions/30430712.html

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