Canada imposes sanctions on Belarus: Lukashenko's youngest son and state-owned companies targeted
Canada has expanded sanctions against Belarus on the anniversary of the 2020 elections, including Lukashenko's youngest son and key state-owned enterprises in the sanctions list.
Canada expanded sanctions against Belarus, announcing new restrictions on the anniversary of the rigged 2020 presidential elections.
Canada's Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced the inclusion of ten Belarusian individuals and six organizations in the sanctions list, all of whom are involved in human rights violations and supporting Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
The sanctions are a response to systematic human rights abuses carried out by Alexander Lukashenko's regime and its support of Russia's illegal war against Ukraine.
Among those sanctioned are judges who, according to Canadian authorities, have issued arbitrary sentences against citizens who opposed the results of the 2020 elections. These sentences have been used as tools of repression against the opposition and civil society in Belarus.
Particular attention was drawn to the inclusion of Lukashenko's youngest son, Nikolai, in the sanctions list. This move, according to analysts, highlights that Canada views the Lukashenko family as part of the authoritarian apparatus responsible for suppressing democracy and human rights in the country.
The sanctions list also includes enterprises involved in the production and repair of military equipment used by Russian forces during the invasion of Ukraine.
Among them are key state-owned companies such as the Minsk Electrotechnical Plant, Design Bureau "Display," Minsk Research Institute of Instrument Engineering, Research Institute of Electronic Computers, as well as "Planar" and "Gomselmash."
These enterprises, as stated by Canadian authorities, have played a significant role in providing the Russian army with necessary equipment and technology.
The governments of Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US issued a joint statement, expressing support for the people of Belarus, who continue to fight for democratic change and human rights despite the repression following the contested 2020 presidential elections.
They confirmed that the imposed sanctions are aimed at holding the Lukashenko regime accountable.
They also called for the immediate release of all political prisoners and emphasized their readiness to consider additional measures, including sanctions, to stop the support of the Lukashenko regime, especially due to Russia's war against Ukraine.