WASHINGTON, The US imposed on Tuesday visa restrictions on 25 individuals for their alleged involvement in undermining democracy.
“The (Presient Alexander) Lukashenka regime continues to repress the Belarusian people and their democratic aspirations, including with the politically motivated trial in absentia of democratic opposition leader Syvatlana Tsikhanouskaya and other democratic activists on baseless charges,” State Secretary Antony Blinken said in a statement.
“These politically motivated trials are the latest examples of the Lukashenka regime’s efforts to intimidate and repress those who seek justice, respect for human rights, and a democratic Belarus,” he added.
“We will not stand by as this regime continues to harass and repress peaceful protesters, the democratic opposition, journalists, unionists, activists, human rights defenders, and everyday Belarusians.
“Those regime officials targeted in today’s action include members of the National Assembly of Belarus for their role in passing legislation to authorize the death penalty for persons convicted of supposed ‘attempted acts of terrorism,’ a charge used to repress and intimidate the democratic opposition and civil society,” Blinken said.
“Some of these individuals have also supported legislation revoking citizenship from those outside the country charged with ‘extremism,’ and confiscating property for taking ‘unfriendly actions towards Belarus’ – similarly aimed at repressing and intimidating the democratic opposition and civil society.” “Including today’s announcement, the State Department has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 322 individuals for undermining democracy in Belarus since the fraudulent 2020 presidential election.
We will continue to use all appropriate tools to hold to account those in Belarus standing in the way of their fellow citizens’ democratic aspirations,” he concluded.
Source: Kuwait News Agency