Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko
The protests were violently suppressed and many protesters labelled as “enemies of the regime” were imprisoned. The continuous violation of human rights and overall step backwards on the road to democracy forced EU and USA, the promoters of respect for human rights, democratic principles and rule of law, to take action.
In this regard, in June 2011, the EU introduced series of new sanctions against the Lukashenko regime, such as issuing travel bans on key members of the judiciary, financial sanctions against the Belarusian government, as well as placed restrictions on companies closely associated with the President.
On 14th June 2011, the President of USA Barack Obama, extended the measures against Belarus approved by George W. Bush in 2006 which were to expire. The constant democratic fallback of Belarus however resulted in even stronger international political reaction. On 4th January 2012, Obama signed Belarus Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2011 passed by the US House of Representatives on 20th December 2011. It broadens the list of Belarus officials and representatives of security services who will face visa restrictions as well as financial sanctions. Moreover, these new sanctions “require the United States to investigate Belarus' arms deals and its possible censorship of the Internet”.
Very interesting and not very common point included in the document, is the call on International Ice Hockey Federation to reverse its decision to organize the International World Ice Hockey Championship of 2014 in Minsk. Such an important international sport event is seen by many as a tool that would serve the Lukashenko government to legitimize itself and espose the sanctions.
Even though the list of sanctions has widened over the last year, and the Belarus’ economy is rapidly failing, there is yet no sign from the government’s side to back up and “behave accordingly”. Moreover, it continues to reach towards its long-term ally – Russia for support, kind of reviving the old East-West rivalry for political influence.
Lukashenko clearly went far behind the tolerable line with his actions. However, the EU and USA are willing to lift up the restrictions in case the political prisoners are released, people’s rights are respected and new elections are held.
The question stands, what will have the desired influence? The actions of “enemies of the regime” or the approach of “the West”? But one cannot forget about the third option, and that is – future Belarus with the cloud of dictatorship and oppression.
For further information about development in Belarus, see: http://eaq.sk/clanok/2012-01-04-turbulent-twelve-months-belarus
The author is CEPI Research Assistant