Britain Enforces New Sanctions on Belarus Amid Human Rights Concerns

Britain has imposed new sanctions on Belarus, targeting four individuals and three entities over human rights violations and support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This coordinated effort with international partners coincides with the fourth anniversary of Belarus's controversial 2020 presidential elections.

Britain has announced a fresh round of sanctions against Belarus, targeting four individuals and three entities for human rights violations and aiding Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. This movecoincides with the fourth anniversary of Belarus's widely disputed 2020 presidential elections.

Independent observers largely believe President Alexander Lukashenko lost that election, retaining power through mass imprisonments and the suppression of street protests aided by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Among those sanctioned were commanders of four Belarusian penal colonies where political prisoners are held.

"Four years on from the brutal scenes we witnessed in Belarus, Lukashenko's relentless crackdown on civil society has shown no signs of abating," Foreign Secretary David Lammy said. "We stand with the people of Belarus in their pursuit of freedom and democracy and call on the regime to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally."

Sanctioned entities included two machine tool manufacturers exporting to Russia's military industrial sector, and a state-affiliated business engaged in defense. Additionally, Britain pledged £2.5 million ($3 million) to support Belarusian human rights and civil society causes.

(With inputs from agencies.)