USA imposes visa sanctions on 25 Belarusian officials

January 17, BPN. The US Department of State says it has imposed visa restrictions on 25 Belarusian officials for undermining democracy.

The list includes members of the National Assembly who played a role in passing legislation to endorse the death penalty for those convicted of alleged “attempted acts of terrorism.” The department said some of those sanctioned also supported legislation to strip of citizenship and property the émigrés accused of “extremism” for “unfriendly actions towards Belarus.” The law was meant to intimidate the democratic opposition and civil society, it added.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that a total of 322 Belarusian nationals have fallen under visa sanctions since 2020. This was a reaction to the regime’s policy to suppress the people and its democratic aspirations, including through the politically motivated trial in absentia of opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja and other activists, he said.

“These politically motivated trials are the latest examples of the Łukašenka regime’s efforts to intimidate and repress those who seek justice, respect for human rights, and a democratic Belarus,” he said. “Ms Cichanoŭskaja leads the pro-democracy movement from exile in Vilnius, defends human rights, and continues to press for a democratic transition in Belarus. She is on trial along with other pro-democracy leaders.”

He noted that courts have sentenced in absentia Belarusian Sports Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) founder Alaksandr Apiejkin and Olympic swimmer Alaksandra Hierasimenia to 12 years in prison. The Łukašenka regime also continued to hold Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aleś Bialacki as a political prisoner, he said.

“We will not stand by as this regime continues to harass and repress peaceful protesters, the democratic opposition, journalists, unionists, activists, human rights defenders, and everyday Belarusians… We will continue to use all appropriate tools to hold to account those in Belarus standing in the way of their fellow citizens’ democratic aspirations,” Blinken added.