- Norway has today agreed new EU sectoral sanctions against Belarus. These measures are a necessary response to the widespread human rights violations committed by the Belarusian authorities, says Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide.
According to human rights organizations, there are over 500 political prisoners in Belarus
The situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate. Opposition groups are imprisoned, human rights defenders are harassed and independent media are gagged. According to human rights organizations, there are over 500 political prisoners in Belarus. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has repeatedly called on the country's authorities to end ongoing human rights violations.
Restrictions on Belarus. Instead of continuing on its failed course, the regime must free all political prisoners and initiate dialogue
Norway joined the fourth round of the EU lists Belarusian officials and companies, in addition to the EU's recently adopted restrictive measures against key parts of Belarusian business. Among other things, the EU introduced restrictions on trade in equipment for internal repression, multi-functional goods, tobacco products and petroleum products. These sectors bring significant income to the Belarusian state and, therefore, to the anti-democratic regime of President Lukashenko. Norwegian laws with special measures against Belarus will be updated to reflect these additions.
- Sectoral sanctions show that we and our close European partners clearly react to serious violations of human rights in Belarus. Instead of continuing its failed course, the regime must free all political prisoners and initiate dialogue with democratic forces, says the Foreign Minister.
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