EU Sanctions Against Belarus — 2nd Package: Lukashenko Listed (November 2020)

On 6 November 2020, the European Union adopted its second package of restrictive measures in response to the ongoing repression following the fraudulent presidential election of August 2020. The package's most significant measure was the addition of President Alexander Lukashenko himself to the EU sanctions list — a step the EU had deliberately avoided in the first package.

Why Lukashenko Was Listed Now

The first package of October 2020 had listed 40 senior officials responsible for immediate acts of repression, while leaving Lukashenko off the list to preserve a minimal diplomatic channel and the possibility of mediation. By November, with repression intensifying, mass detentions continuing and no signs of dialogue, the EU determined that listing Lukashenko had become unavoidable. In addition to Lukashenko, the package also designated his son Viktor Lukashenko, who served as a senior security advisor and was identified as directly involved in coordinating repressive activities.

Measures Adopted

The November 2020 package added 15 individuals to the EU sanctions list, bringing the total to 55 designated persons. All additions were subject to:

• Travel ban: prohibition on entering or transiting EU territory
• Asset freeze: all funds and economic resources in the EU frozen
• Prohibition on providing funds to listed individuals

Individuals Designated

In addition to Alexander and Viktor Lukashenko, the package listed:

• Senior KGB officials responsible for directing post-election operations
• Commanders of OMON special police units involved in mass beatings and detentions
• Officials responsible for conditions of detention and treatment of arrested protesters
• Prosecutors overseeing politically motivated criminal cases

EU Statement

The Council stated that Alexander Lukashenko was listed for "being responsible for serious human rights violations and the repression of civil society and democratic opposition in Belarus, as well as for organising and facilitating activities by the Lukashenko regime, which have seriously undermined democracy and the rule of law in Belarus."

Diplomatic Context

The listing of a sitting head of state was a significant political step. It effectively ended any prospect of normal diplomatic relations and signalled that the EU considered Lukashenko's continued presidency as illegitimate in the context of the fraudulent August 2020 election.