MEPs: Belarusian Regime Crossed Red Line

The EU should impose sanctions for the election fraud and repression in Belarus.

A group of members of the European Parliament appealed to the EU leadership urging to impose sanctions for electoral fraud and repression in Belarus.

The statement of the MEPs was posted on Twitter by the Lithuanian MEP Petras Austrevičius.

In the letter, the MEPs declare that they do not recognize the August 9 presidential election as free and legitimate.

“The Belarusian regime has crossed the red line, using unprecedented violence and restrictive measures against Belarusian citizens who demand freedom and democratic reforms,” the statement reads.

“We urge the EU leadership to apply targeted sanctions against all those guilty of electoral fraud, violence and repression,” MEPs called on.

They stressed that not only high-ranking officials of Belarus and their family members, but also middle-level officials of the repressive structures and the CEC should fall under the sanctions.

The MEPs believe that the sanctions should include a ban on entry to the EU and the freezing of all assets, and should also continue until free and fair elections are held in Belarus.

They also call on the EU to reconsider its relations with Belarus, in particular, to stop negotiations on the priorities of the bilateral partnership. “The Belarusian regime can in no way benefit from the financial support of the EU,” the statement said.

The statement was signed by 23 MEPs. Among them are Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Radoslaw Sikorski, Anna Fotyga and others.

Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz did not previously rule out sanctions from the EU if Aliaksandr Lukashenka continues to use violence against the protesters.

Lithuania supported the EU sanctions against Belarus for political repression, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also called to discuss sanctions.