US, UK, and Canada impose more sanctions against Belarusians over human rights violations and support for Russia

Gijs de Bra | Cornell Law School, US

AUGUST 10, 2024 , TJE JURIST

The US, UK, and Canada announced more sanctions against Belarusian individuals and entities Friday, all pointing to human rights abuses in Belarus and its support for Russia in the war against Ukraine.

The countries moved for slightly different reasons. First, the US Department of the Treasury announced “action against 19 individuals, 14 entities, and one aircraft.” Some of those entities supply Russia’s armed forces. For example, Ruchservomotor produces “panoramic commander’s sights” for Russian tanks. Other entities provide funds used for buying influence with Belarus President Lukashenko, to secure lower taxes and customs fees. The US’s sanctions block the targets’ property in the US and prohibit all transactions related to that property.

Second, the UK Treasury announced asset freezes against four individuals and three entities. The individuals are allegedly involved in “serious human rights violations,” “repression of civil society and democratic opposition,” and undermining the rule of law in Belarus. The entities deal with the Belarus government or aid Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Third, Global Affairs Canada announced sanctions against 10 individuals and six entities. Like the US and UK, Canada banned transactions in the targets’ property, but it also prohibited anyone from providing financial services to the targets. Canada explained that the targets commit “ongoing and systematic human rights abuses in Belarus.” For example, the targets include judges who have convicted and sentenced people for “expressing their opposition to the fraudulent elections of 2020.”

The European Council previously announced sanctions against 28 individuals in the Belarus government, judiciary, prison system and state-run media on Monday. The EU’s sanctions limit the targets’ ability to travel in the EU and obtain funds from EU citizens.

Sanctions are a common tool to deter wrongdoing in other countries. As the US notes, “[t]he ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.” Canada has imposed sanctions against Belarusians 15 times, and the EU started imposing them after the country’s disputed 2020 elections and has listed 261 individuals and 37 entities to date.