Canada has slapped additional sanctions on 31 Belarusian officials of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko's regime in response to gross and systematic human rights violations that have been committed in Belarus.
Read alsoFM Kuleba reveals details of upcoming sanctions against Lukashenko's regime"Following the adoption of a first set of targeted sanctions in coordination with the United Kingdom on September 29, the Government of Canada is today listing an additional 31 Belarusian officials under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations. This second set of sanctions is being adopted in coordination with recent actions taken by the European Union and the United States," the press service of the Canadian Government said in a statement on October 15.
"Today's actions support wider international efforts to seek a diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Belarus. By demonstrating our firm resolve on sanctions, we strengthen our collective ability to pressure government officials in Belarus to heed the demands of the Belarusian people. Canada continues to stand in solidarity with the people of Belarus as they struggle to restore human rights and achieve democracy in their country," the press service quoted Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne as saying.
Sanctions targeting the Lukashenko regime
- On September 29, the United Kingdom and Canada imposed sanctions on Alexander Lukashenko, his son Viktor, and six other Belarusian officials.
- On October 2, the European Union officially slapped sanctions on 40 senior officials of the Lukashenko regime involved in suppressing peaceful protests and rigging the presidential election campaign in Belarus. Lukashenko was not put on the list then.
- On the same day, the United States imposed sanctions on eight Belarusian officials.
