The United States recently introduced punitive measures against Belarus in light of that country’s controversial March 19 presidential election. Belarus is often cited as the last remaining dictatorship in Europe. The country’s president, Alexander Lukashenko, remains an ardent admirer of the former Soviet Union’s authoritarian ways and has been referred to by the White House as "one of the most corrupt leaders of the world." Yet, despite the talk of sanctions, the United States initially has only imposed travel restrictions on Lukashenko and other members of the political leadership.
The United States previously responded to human rights violations in Belarus by passing the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (the "Act"). The Act condemned past elections as being unfair and non-democratic, and cited numerous acts of political repression. In addition to promoting democracy and civil society, the Act prohibited all loans and investments involving United States government financing (i.e., OPIC, Export-Import Bank), subject to a few humanitarian exceptions. The Act further forbade the use of U.S. Trade and Development Agency funds in Belarus.
Lukashenko changed the Belarusian constitution so that he could seek a third term as president. After an election campaign marred by various forms of voter intimidation, Lukashenko not surprisingly emerged victorious in the March 19 ballot with more than 80 percent of the vote. The political opposition gathered in central Minsk to protest the results, only to be brutally dispersed a few days later by Belarusian security forces.
Both the United States and the European Union ("EU") rejected the election results and announced their intention to introduce punitive sanctions on Belarus. On April 10, the EU imposed travel restrictions on President Lukashenko and 30 leading government officials, including members of the presidential administration, state security services, and election supervisors. All of these sanctioned individuals are barred from entering the EU. On May 19, the EU further froze all funds and economic resources of President Lukashenko and 35 other persons "responsible for the violations of international electoral standards and the crackdown on civil society."
The United States introduced similar travel restrictions on members of the Belarusian government on May 12, as well as persons who, through business dealings with the Belarusian government officials, derive significant finacial benefit from policies or actions (including human rights abuses and corruption) that undermine democratic institutions in Belarus. The Secretary of State (or its designee) will identify the individuals covered under the Belarusian travel restrictions at some later date. Despite the growing concern of the U.S. government, however, comprehensive economic sanctions on Belarus do not appear imminent.
This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
