THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 of 18 May 2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus, and in particular Article 8a(1) thereof,
Having regard to the proposals from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Whereas:
(1)
On 18 May 2006, the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 concerning restrictive measures in respect of Belarus.
(2)
On 9 August 2020, Belarus conducted presidential elections, which were found to be inconsistent with international standards and marred by the repression of independent candidates and a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in the wake of those elections. On 11 August 2020, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) issued a declaration on behalf of the Union, assessing that the elections were neither free nor fair. It was also stated that measures against those responsible for violence, unjustified arrests and falsification of election results could be taken.
(3)
On 2 October 2020, the Council adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1387 which designated 40 individuals identified as responsible for repression and intimidation of peaceful demonstrators, opposition members and journalists in the wake of the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, as well as for the Central Electoral Commission’s misconduct of the electoral process for those elections.
(4)
On 24 September 2020, the High Representative issued a declaration on behalf of the Union, saying that the so-called ‘inauguration’ and the new mandate claimed by Aleksandr LUKASHENKO lack any democratic legitimacy. The statement reiterated the Union’s expectation that the Belarusian authorities immediately refrain from any further repression and violence directed against the Belarusian people and immediately and unconditionally release all those detained, including political prisoners.
(5)
In view of the gravity of the situation in Belarus, due to the ongoing repression of civil society and opposition activists, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO and 14 other persons should be included in the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures set out in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006.
(6)
Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 765/2006 should therefore be amended accordingly,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: