EU threatens more Belarus sanctions after protester’s death

Raman Bandarenka died in hospital after reportedly being beaten by security forces. https://www.eudebates.tv/debates/eu-p... #eudebates #Russia #Belarus #sanctions #Tsikhanouskaya #Lukashenko The European Union is ready to impose additional sanctions on Belarusian officials, the bloc’s diplomatic service said following the death of a pro-democracy protester. The death of 31-year-old Raman Bandarenka — who died in a Minsk hospital on Thursday after reportedly being beaten by plain-clothed security forces — triggered outrage in Belarus, where thousands gathered to mourn him with flowers and candles. The European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s diplomatic body, on Friday condemned the state’s crackdown on the ongoing mass protests against the rule of Alexander Lukashenko, whose reelection as president in August was broadly rejected as fraudulent. Bandarenka’s death “is an outrageous and shameful result of the actions by the Belarusian authorities who have not only directly and violently carried out repression of their own population, but also created an environment whereby such lawless, violent acts can take place,” said EEAS spokesman Peter Stano in a statement. Stano expressed condolences to Bandarenka’s friends and family and added that the EU “stands ready to impose additional sanctions” on Belarusian authorities. The EU has already placed sanctions on dozens of Belarusian individuals. The latest set of penalties, which also targeted Lukashenko, were approved last week. Witnesses say that Bandarenka was detained on Wednesday after a scuffle with plain-clothed men who wanted to remove red-white ribbons — symbols of the pro-democracy movement — from a square. Leading human rights activist Ales Bialiatski said Bandarenka was handed over to the police and brutally beaten, according to the Associated Press. He died in hospital on Thursday. Belarusian authorities have denied any responsibility in the protester’s death, saying he died as a result of a fight with other civilians. Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said: “My heart is broken. I want to address the mother of Raman Bandarenka … your son has become an innocent victim of a terrible system. But for us, he will forever be the hero. We will continue fighting for your son and freedom in Belarus.” EU warns it could expand sanctions in wake of Belarus killing On 12 November, 31-year old Raman Bandarenka died after several hours of surgery in a hospital in Minsk due to serious injuries caused, according to reports, by the brutality of plain clothed policemen. This is an outrageous and shameful result of the actions by the Belarusian authorities who have not only directly and violently carried out repression of their own population, but also created an environment whereby such lawless, violent acts can take place, thus ignoring not only the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Belarusian people but also disregarding their lives. The European Union expresses its deepest condolences to Mr Bandarenka’s family and friends. The EU stands in solidarity with all the Belarusians who have suffered and continue to suffer at the hands of the Belarusian authorities in the aftermath of the 9 August falsified presidential elections. The EU continues to strongly condemn violence employed by the Belarusian authorities against peaceful protesters, persons engaged in the pro-democracy movement, independent media, representatives of civil society or ordinary Belarusian citizens. We expect the authorities to end the violence and persecution, to release immediately and unconditionally all arbitrarily detained persons, including political prisoners, and to investigate fully and transparently all human rights violations and abuses, and hold those responsible to account. The European Union has already imposed sanctions on 55 individuals responsible for violent repression and intimidation, and stands ready to impose additional sanctions. https://www.eudebates.tv/ #eudebates