Barack Obama extended financial sanctions on Belarusian officials

The US national emergency act blocking the property of certain “persons undermining democratic processes” in Belarus has been continued in effect for a year.

As the White House’s press service notes, Obama sent an appropriate notice to the US Congress, mentioning “some positive developments during the past year” in Belarus.

In particular, he drew his attention to release of all internationally recognized political prisoners. “Despite some positive developments during the past year, ... the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Belarus and other persons that have undermined democratic processes or institutions, committed human rights abuses related to political repression, and engaged in public corruption pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency and related measures blocking the property of certain persons undermining democratic processes or institutions in Belarus,” BelaPAN quotes the document.

The National Emergencies Act imposing financial sanctions on ten Belarusian officials was signed by previous US president George Bush on June 16, 2006 and is being prolonged annually.

The document blocks the property of these officials and their right to have property, accounts and perform financial operations in the US. American companies and individuals are prohibited to deal with these officials.

A list of names, among them Alyaksandr Lukashenka and his son Viktar Lukashenka, deputy head of the President’s Administration Natallya Pyatkevich, minister of justice Viktar Halavanau, head of the Belarusian Radio and Television Company Alyaksandr Zimouski, head of the Central Election Commission Lidziya Yarmoshyna, is attached to the document.

The list also contains the persons, who were dismissed from their offices – former KGB head Stsyapan Sukharenka, state secretary of the Security Council Viktar Sheiman, internal minister Uladzimir Navumau, and commander of the special purpose brigade of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Dzmitry Paulichenka.