Biden extends Belarus sanctions for another year

U.S. President Joe Biden has formally continued for another year a national emergency in respect of the actions of the Belarus regime, which implies prolongation of sanctions against the country’s authorities.

That’s according to a statement issued by the White House.

“The actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Belarus and other persons, and the Belarusian regime’s harmful activities and long-standing abuses, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States,” the statement reads.

For this reason, the president prolongs the national emergency beyond June 16, 2022, for another year.

On June 16, 2006, by Executive Order 13405, the U.S. President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to address Belarus policies, including by introducing restrictions targeting the country’s leadership. In August 2021, the White House chief extended the emergency following “fraudulent Belarusian presidential election and its aftermath, such as the elimination of political opposition and civil society organizations and the regime’s disruption and endangering of international civil air travel.”

Photo: White House