US, UK, EU, Canada make ‘coordinated response’ to Belarus Ryanair forced landing

The United States, European Union, United Kingdom and Canada issued a joint statement on 21 June, in which they say that they have taken ‘coordinated sanctions action in response to the 23 May forced landing of a commercial Ryanair flight between 2 EU member states and the politically motivated arrest of journalist Raman Pratasevich and his companion Sofia Sapega, as well as to the continuing attack on human rights and fundamental freedoms.’

The statement says that they ‘are committed to support the long-suppressed democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus and we stand together to impose costs on the regime for its blatant disregard of international commitments.’

The EU says it has added 78 individuals and eight entities to its sanctions list and that among those targeted are ‘several prominent business figures who support and benefit from the Lukashenko regime. These sanctions therefore send a further strong signal to the backers of the regime that their continued support for Aleksandr Lukashenko comes at a substantial cost.’

The United States says that it has added 16 individuals and five entities to its list (including Lukashenko’s press secretary, Natalya Eismant, who ‘created and pushed a narrative that labeled Belarusians protesting the fraudulent August 9, 2020, presidential election as proponents of chaos and disorder, while labeling Lukashenka as the solution to end the political chaos, portraying him as a champion of discipline and stability.’

The United Kingdom says it has added 13 individuals to its consolidated list.

For EU additions: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.LI.2021.219.01.0001.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2021%3A219I%3ATOC

The UK list: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/995255/Belarus.pdf

The US list: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20210621

For recent additions to Canada’s list of sanctioned Belarus persons and entities: https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2021/06/backgrounder—sanctions-related-to-belarus.html