Canada imposes new sanctions on Belarusian authorities during Cichanoŭskaja’s visit

November 23, BPN. Canada has imposed new sanctions against the Belarusian authorities for facilitating Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and attempt to annex Ukrainian territories, said Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly.

The announcement came during the visit of the Belarusian opposition leader Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja to Canada.

New restrictive measures apply to 22 Belarusian officials, including those involved in the deployment and transportation of Russian military and equipment to Ukraine, as well as 16 business entities with links to the military and industrial complex, technology, engineering, banking, and rail sectors.

Canada noted that Belarus became a springboard for Russia’s attack on Ukraine, contributing to human rights abuses in Ukraine and causing the suffering of millions of people around the world after Russia turned food and energy into weapons.

“President [Alaksandr] Łukašenka’s complete disregard for human rights, both domestically and abroad, is unjustifiable,” Joly said.

Canada expects that the new sanctions will put additional pressure on the Belarusian leadership, forcing Łukašenka to stop being an instrument of the Russian regime.

“Speaking truth to power is not always easy – but it is necessary,” Joly noted. “Canadians take inspiration from human rights defenders and leaders like Sviatłana Cichanoŭskaja, who have the courage to speak up for what is right. Her actions, as well as those of Ukrainians, serve as a reminder that we must work together to create the world we want to live in. Those who enable human rights abuses cannot be allowed to walk on the UN Charter.”

Canada has sanctioned over 1,500 individuals and entities from and in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine. Last time Ottawa imposed sanctions on 13 individuals and two entities from Belarus linked to the military and industrial complex.