Considerations on COM(2006)190 - Restrictive measures against President Lukashenko and certain officials of Belarus

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dossier COM(2006)190 - Restrictive measures against President Lukashenko and certain officials of Belarus.
document COM(2006)190 EN
date May 18, 2006
 
table>(1)On 24 March 2006, the European Council deplored the failure of the Belarus authorities to meet OSCE commitments to democratic elections, considered that the Presidential elections of 19 March 2006 were fundamentally flawed and condemned the action of the Belarus authorities of that day in arresting peaceful demonstrators exercising their legitimate right of free assembly to protest at the conduct of the Presidential elections. The European Council therefore decided that restrictive measures should be applied against those responsible for the violation of international electoral standards.
(2)On 10 April 2006, the Council decided to adopt restrictive measures against President Lukashenko, the Belarusian leadership and officials responsible for the violations of international electoral standards and international human rights law, as well as for the crackdown on civil society and democratic opposition. These individuals should be subjected to a visa ban and possible further targeted measures.

(3)Common Position 2006/362/CFSP provides that the funds and economic resources of President Lukashenko and certain officials of Belarus that have been identified for this purpose should be frozen.

(4)These measures fall within the scope of the Treaty and, therefore, notably with a view to ensuring their uniform application by economic operators in all Member States, Community legislation is necessary to implement them as far as the Community is concerned. For the purposes of this Regulation, the territory of the Community should be deemed to encompass the territories of the Member States to which the Treaty is applicable, under the conditions laid down in the Treaty.

(5)Member States should determine the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Regulation. The penalties provided for should be proportionate, effective and dissuasive.

(6)In order to ensure that the measures provided for in this Regulation are effective, this Regulation should enter into force immediately,