News / Foreign Policy

UK to join US and Canada in imposing sanctions on Belarus

Thursday, 24 September 2020 4:52 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 24 September 2020 4:53 PM ]

Dominic Raab is determined to stake out a tough position on Belarus

In keeping with its hardline policy on Belarus’ recent presidential election, the UK is preparing to impose sanctions on Minsk.

The decision was announced by the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, to the House of Commons on Thursday (September 24).

Raab attacked Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, as a leader who has a “wholesale lack of legitimacy”.

Raab reiterated the British government’s position of not accepting the results of last month’s presidential election in Belarus.

— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) September 23, 2020 ">http://

Lukashenko’s secret inauguration in Minsk today brings him further into disrepute. His rigged election was a fraud on the Belarusian people.
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) September 23, 2020

In addition, he condemned what he described as the “thuggery” visited upon protesters in Minsk.

But crucially, according to Raab, the UK will not be joining the European Union (EU) to impose “targeted sanctions” on Belarusian leaders and officials.

The foreign secretary blamed “delays in Brussels” for the UK’s inability to present a united front with the EU on the political situation in Belarus.

Raab said the Foreign Office will instead coordinate with the US and Canada over this matter.

Furthermore, the foreign secretary told Parliament the UK intends to “double” the amount of financial support it provides to Belarusian “human rights groups”, “independent media organizations” and “community groups”, to the tune of £1.5 million over the next two years.

The financial package includes £800,000 for “journalists” who are willing to report against the Belarusian government.

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