Brussels, 06/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - Janos Martonyi, Hungarian Foreign Minister, who currently presides over the Foreign Affairs Council, is “personally” in favour of the EU bringing in new sanctions against leaders of Belarus because of the abuse that occurred during elections on 19 December. The EU is to send a “very clear political message” to Minsk, and the adoption of new sanctions targeting the political elite - but not the Belarusian people - could be a powerful message, said Martonyi speaking to European journalists in Budapest on 5 January. The previous day, Sweden's foreign minister, Carl Bildt, did not rule out the fact that President Lukashenko could himself appear on the list of those banned from travel within the EU (EUROPE 10286). Warsaw for its part has stepped up its effort to support the opposition and civil society of Belarus.
The 27 member states will, on Friday 7 January, be examining the report by the head of the EU delegation in Minsk, José Manuel Pinto Teixeira, on measures to be taken towards the Belarusian regime. The report requested by the EU on 23 December recommends, inter alia, the lifting of the current suspension of sanctions imposed on the visas of Belarusian leaders, decided in 2008 (see EUROPE 9842). Extension of the list of sanctions to other persons or the freeze of leaders' assets could be additional measures decided by the EU27, which will decide on this at the Foreign Affairs Council of 31 January at the latest. It would be too early to speak at this stage of unanimity between member states regarding measures to be taken due to the regime's excesses. Sweden and Germany have a more severe policy.
According to European diplomats, the repressive crackdown by the authorities of Belarus against protesters in a peaceful demonstration after the ballot on 19 December came at a time when it appeared that the victory of the outgoing president was not guaranteed. The OSCE openly questioned the validity of the ballot, further to the irregularities noted during the voting, which led to the closure of its offices (see EUROPE 10286). Some 700 people are currently detained and could be liable to administrative penalties (of up to 15 days). About 30 people arrested (26-33), including the key opposition leaders, could however have heavier penalties imposed upon them under criminal law. According to the EU delegation in Minsk, persons held should not only be released but should also have all accusations against them under the criminal code dropped (Article 293). There should also be immediate access to prisoners, some of whom are injured, European diplomats say, noting that the future of relations between Belarus and the EU will largely depend on progress made in this area. (H.B./A.By./transl.jl)