EU extends restrictive measures against Belarus up to October 31, 2015

Sanctions are retained because the official Minsk didn’t release all political prisoners and “the respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles has not significantly improved in

The Council of the EU extended EU restrictive measures against Belarus until 31 October 2015. This decision was made on October 30 and the official document will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union on October 31.

The Council of the EU excluded 24 persons and seven entities from restrictions.

“This decision does not reflect any change in the EU's policy towards Belarus, as set out in the Council conclusions of 15 October 2012: the EU maintains its policy of critical engagement with Belarus, intended to promote the respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles in Belarus”, - the press service underlines.

The report also specifies that the EU's sanctions comprise an arms embargo, an embargo on equipment for internal repression as well as asset freezes and travel bans against persons responsible for human rights violations. Associated entities are subject to an asset freeze.