Sanctions Against the Regime: The European Parliament Proposed to Hit the Energy and Chemical Industries

The situation in Belarus was debated in Brussels.

MEPs held a debate, where they discussed the ongoing violations of human rights in Belarus, as well as the death of Raman Bandarenka, tut.by writes.

About two dozen MEPs expressed their opinion on the topic of "Continuing human rights violations in Belarus, in particular, the murder of Raman Bandarenka." The vast majority of them reiterated the EU's position condemning the events taking place in Belarus, expressed condolences to Bandarenka's relatives and support for the protesters, journalists, and civil society representatives in our country.

German MP Viola von Cramont-Taubadel said that Raman Bandarenka is not the first victim of the Belarusian regime, but there is an opportunity to make him the last. According to her, the Belarusian ice hockey federation chairman is among the alleged perpetrators of his death. However, the responsibility for the death of Bandarenka, as well as for over a hundred political prisoners and more than 20 thousand illegally detained, beaten, raped, kidnapped civilians, according to her, should, first of all, be placed on Aliaksandr Lukashenka. The parliamentarian stated that he was responsible for spreading lies about Bandarenka, as well as for persecuting "a courageous doctor and journalist who dared to refute his lies." According to the parliamentarian, Lukashenka's actions also led to a national awakening and an increase in the civil responsibility of Belarusians.

The MP called for more serious measures to be taken against the Belarusian authorities. In particular, she proposed to include Belarusian officials' family members in the EU sanctions list, to stop any international financial assistance to the regime - according to her, investors should also follow this example. Von Cramont-Taubadel said that sanctions should be imposed on the Belarusian economy's energy and chemical sectors and that the 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship should not be held in our country.

Deputy Petras Aushtrevičius from Lithuania noted that the speed of making decisions and taking concrete actions with regard to Belarus is now of decisive importance. According to him, substantial assistance to the Belarusians should be provided immediately, and the new EU sanctions package should affect oligarchs and companies associated with Aliaksandr Lukashenka. His colleague and compatriot Andrius Kubilius agreed that urgent action is needed and called what is happening now in Belarus "internal terrorism." In his opinion, in this situation, the EU needs to behave in the same way as with other terrorist regimes, which includes, in addition to sanctions, a tribunal. According to him, the Kremlin must also understand that it will be affected by restrictions and sanctions if it actively supports the Belarusian authorities.

Spaniard Manu Pineda, representing the European United Left–Nordic Green Left, said that the example of all the Eastern Partnership countries proves that the EU is doing something wrong in relation to them because they all have serious internal conflicts. In his opinion, the European Union should build its relations with other countries, respecting their sovereignty and striving for mutual benefit, and not competing with some states for expanding its influence.

MP Andrzej Halitski from Poland, like many other parliamentarians, believes that the time for words has passed and that it is necessary to act, supporting the Belarusian democratic opposition. He even proposed to impose sanctions on all members of the special forces, apparently referring to the AMAP.

Luxembourger Charles Goerens compared Trump and Lukashenka, noting that both refuse to admit defeat in the elections, but the first will still be forced to leave. The parliamentarian also said that European diplomacy needs to find a way to attract Russian President Vladimir Putin to their side in the issue of Belarus.

As a reminder, the European Union is currently preparing the third package of sanctions against Belarus, which may affect companies and businessmen associated with Aliaksandr Lukashenka; the lists may be adopted as early as December 7 at a meeting of EU foreign ministers.