EP to call to economic sanctions against Belarus

The European Parliament recommends the Council of the EU to impose targeted economic sanctions on the Belarusian regime.

The EP recommends the EU Council to toughen the restrictive measures against Belarus and introduce targeted economic sanctions on the Belarusian regime in connection with the execution of Dzmitry Kanavalau and Uladzislau Kavalyou, the men convicted in the Minsk metro bombing case.

ITAR TASS has learned it from a draft resolution of the EU law-making body that will be proposed for voting on March 29, ITAR-TASS reports.

The European Parliament calls on the Council to “take stock of the latest developments in EU-Belarus diplomatic relations and of the further deterioration in the situation regarding human rights and basic freedoms in the country and, on this basis, to adopt a decision concerning further restrictive measures, including targeted economic sanctions”, the document says.

The document also points the step will be a response to Minsk's refusal to pardon Kanavalau and Kavalyou and the expulsion of the head of the EU Delegation and the Ambassador of Poland from Belarus.

Besides, MEPs will again recommend Belarus to immediately release political prisoners and announce the readiness of the EU to render financial and political aid to efforts of the Belarusian civil society to promote democracy in the country.