Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Triesman (Labour) on Thursday, 29 June 2006.

Belarus: President Lukashenko

Question: Whether asset or travel restrictions are in place in the United Kingdom in respect of President Lukashenko of Belarus and his close associates; and whether they have made an assessment of recent action by the United States Treasury Department in this connection.

Answer: Following the assessment of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights international election observation mission that the Belarus election failed to meet the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s standards for democratic elections, EU Foreign Ministers agreed on 10 April 2006 to impose a travel ban against 31 individuals deemed responsible for the fraudulent presidential election in March and the subsequent crackdown on the opposition. On 18 May, EU Foreign Ministers agreed to impose further restrictive measures in the form of assets freezes on 36 individuals, including five people subject to earlier travel bans as a result of their involvement in the disappearance of opponents of the regime in 1999 to 2000 and the fraudulent parliamentary elections of 2004. Both the travel ban and assets freeze lists include Lukashenko. Throughout the period leading up to and following the 19 March presidential election, the EU has worked in close partnership with the US to ensure that a strong and joined-up message is sent to the Belarusian regime. The US declared at the recent EU-US summit on 22 June that this unified approach is a,"““good example of our broad co-operation and co-ordination””." The EU and the US will continue to synchronise our measures and policies towards Belarus.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 6522; 683 c180-1WA
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Travel restrictions Sequestration of assets Sanctions Presidents Belarus Lukashenko, Aleksandr
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk