EU to ban more Belarus officials after contested votes :: Charter'97 :: News

The European Union said it planned to plunge Belarus further into isolation by banning officials responsible for "fraudulent elections" and violence against opposition supporters from its territory. EU foreign ministers issued a hard-hitting statement at talks here that left no doubt about the 25-nation bloc`s anger at the policies of Belarus` autocratic leader Alexander Lukashenko following a referendum last month. The approach of President Lukashenko`s administration towards democracy and human rights continues "to prevent Belarus from taking its rightful place among European democratic countries", the ministers said.

They noted with "great concern" the conduct of elections and a referendum held on October 17, which gave Lukashenko the right to run for office for an unlimited period, and condemned an ensuing crackdown on the opposition.

The ministers said the EU stood ready to launch a dialogue with Lukashenko`s government as soon as it shows a "sincere willingness to re-engage".

But in the meantime, the bloc will tighten a visa ban already in place against Lukashenko and top members of his regime.

"The EU will introduce a visa ban against the officials directly responsible for the fraudulent elections and referendum, and against those responsible for severe human rights violations in the repression of peaceful demonstrations," the ministerial statement said.

Contacts between the EU and Kiev will be held only through the bloc`s rotating presidency, foreign affairs envoy Javier Solana or its executive commission. "Other contacts... will be limited to a minimum," it said.

The ministers said also that the EU would "seek the support of interested and like-minded countries" for its actions against Belarus, including through the United Nations.

The United States has joined the EU in imposing travel restrictions on Belarus leaders and has also angrily condemned last month`s ballots.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, said the expanded visa blacklist was now being drafted.

"But I can assure you that it will enter into force as quickly as possible because we think the situation there is very serious," he told a news conference at the EU meeting.

"We are extremely concerned about the distinct lack of democracy and the rule of law. Belarus risks being isolated from the international community. We want to avoid that, but they have to show an opening," he added.

The EU ministers, while tightening the travel restrictions, said the bloc would redouble its efforts to reach out to civil society in Belarus to keep hopes of democracy alive.

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the European Commission was organising a conference, to take place in Lithuania early next year, to gather non-governmental organisations and activists from Belarus.

"We have to try to get democracy moving there, although it is very difficult now to do so," she said.