Estonia Imposed Sanctions Against Lukashenka's Regime

• 27.08.2020, 13:46

The sanctions were adopted in coordination with Latvia and Lithuania.

The Estonian government at a meeting on Thursday adopted a resolution submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, which, based on the law on international sanctions, introduces a ban on entry into Estonia for those persons in respect of whom there is reason to believe that they are responsible for the falsification of the elections of the President of the Republic of Belarus and related to violence and human rights violations, according to ERR.

"The people of the Republic of Belarus have the right to choose their future freely, they clearly expressed their will for democratic change. The only opportunity for this is truly free and independent elections," said Prime Minister Juri Ratas. "The purpose of the focal sanctions imposed by Estonia is to condemn the falsification of election results and violence against peaceful demonstrators and ensure that those responsible for this cannot enter Estonia."

In accordance with the position on the EU policy towards the Republic of Belarus, approved by the government at a meeting on August 18, 2020, and supported by the committees of the Riigikogu on foreign affairs and European Union affairs at a joint meeting on August 19, 2020, Estonia does not recognize the results of the presidential elections held in Belarus on August 9 because the elections were neither free nor fair.

The sanctions are being introduced in coordination with Latvia and Lithuania. The European Union is also preparing to impose sanctions.

The government decree will enter into force in accordance with the general procedure. After that, the list of specific persons will be approved by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.