25
Oct 2010
Sanctions
Sanctions
EU Sanctions Against Belarus — Expansion After 2010 Presidential Election
The European Union adopted Council Decision 2010/639/CFSP on 25 October 2010, expanding the existing sanctions framework against Belarus ahead of the presidential election scheduled for December 2010. Following the election and the violent crackdown on its aftermath, the measures were significantly strengthened in early 2011.
Background: The December 2010 Election and Square Crackdown
The presidential election of 19 December 2010, in which Lukashenko claimed 79.6% of the vote, was once again condemned as fraudulent by international observers. On election night, tens of thousands of opposition supporters gathered peacefully in Minsk's October Square. Security forces violently dispersed the crowd and launched a nationwide crackdown:- Over 700 people were arrested on election night alone
- Seven of the nine opposition presidential candidates were arrested
- Leading civil society figures, journalists and activists were detained
- Offices of opposition parties and NGOs were raided and sealed
- Dozens of individuals were sentenced to prison terms of up to six years
2010 Measures
The October 2010 decision updated the listing criteria and expanded the designated list to include individuals responsible for the overall pattern of repression, not only those linked to the 1999-2000 disappearances. Arms embargo provisions were also reinforced.2011 Expansion
In January and February 2011, following the post-election violence, the Council adopted additional measures:- Extension of travel bans to judges who convicted peaceful demonstrators
- Listing of prosecutors who brought politically motivated charges
- Addition of KGB officials and Interior Ministry commanders involved in the crackdown
- Tightening of arms embargo provisions to prevent circumvention