· Further sanctions against
the Belarusian regime for continuing to actively facilitate
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
· Includes export bans on
sources of revenue to Belarus, cracks down on sanctions
circumvention and provides grounds so that Belarusian
organisations cannot spread propaganda in the UK
· Also expands sanctions
criteria, giving the Government the basis to sanction a broader
range of people such as aides, advisers and government ministers
who facilitate the operation of the Belarusian regime
New sanctions legislation allowing the UK Government to target
exports from Belarus funding the Lukashenko regime and crack down
on Russia’s efforts to circumvent sanctions, have been announced
today (8 June).
The measures also give the Government grounds to prevent
designated Belarusian media organisations from spreading
propaganda in the UK, including over the internet, as the regime
continues to actively facilitate Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and
spread false narratives.
The Belarusian regime has permitted the use of its territory and
airspace by Russia to conduct missile and drone strikes against
Ukraine in addition to the provision of significant training and
logistical support to Russian forces.
Foreign Secretary says:
“This new package ratchets up the economic pressure on Lukashenko
and his regime which actively facilitates the Russian war effort
and ignores Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
“Our support for Ukraine will remain resolute for as long as it
takes and the UK will not hesitate to introduce further measures
against those who prop up Putin’s war.”
The UK is banning the import of gold, cement, wood and rubber to
the UK from Belarus, which are sources of revenue for the
Lukashenko regime, building on measures introduced last July to
ban the import and export of goods worth around £60 million from
Belarus.
We are also blocking exports to Belarus from the UK of banknotes
and machinery, alongside goods, technologies and materials that
could be used to produce chemical and biological weapons.
Our online measures provide the Government with the ability to
prevent designated Belarusian media companies from spreading
propaganda in the UK. That means social media companies and
internet service providers will restrict access to the websites
of sanctioned Belarusian media organisations, as is already the
case for sanctioned Russian organisations.
We have also expanded the designation criteria for Belarus
allowing the Government to sanction a broader range of people who
prop up the regime. This means we have the basis, where
appropriate, to target close family members of those already
sanctioned.
In addition, our measures in this package crack down on those
circumventing sanctions given the close links between the
Belarusian and Russian economies, applying measures to Belarus
which we have already applied to Russia to close loopholes and
address sanctions circumvention.
This includes through limiting the funds that Belarus is able to
raise by further restricting Belarusian access to UK financial
markets and preventing the import of goods such as gold which may
have originated in Russia.
This also reflects the UK’s wider work bearing down on those who
prop up Putin’s war in Ukraine, coming down hard on sanctions
evaders; closing loopholes; and working with our international
partners to undermine attempts to build global resilience to
Western sanctions.
This latest package builds upon the significant sanctions against
Belarus already in place, including last year banning the
import and export of goods worth around £60 million for the
regime’s active support of Putin’s war. That covers bans from
Belarus to the UK on the export of oil refining goods, advanced
technology components, luxury goods and imports to the UK of
Belarusian iron and steel.
The UK has also targeted people and companies who have engaged
in, supported or promoted the repression of fundamental human
rights and freedoms in Belarus. That includes sanctioning more
than 100 people and organisations, such as freezing the assets of
major Belarusian state-owned enterprises which are significant
sources of revenue and foreign currency for the Lukashenko
regime.
The UK is resolute in condemning the brutal campaign by the
regime against the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the
Belarusian people – such as routinely subjecting citizens to
inhumane and degrading treatment and hindering any form of
opposition. With over 1,400 political prisoners in Belarus, the
UK calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
