Canada to Lift Sanctions on Belarus

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Global Affairs Canada May 10, 2016

Pursuant to the Government of Canada’s commitment to diplomatic re-engagement with the international community, and in response to recent positive developments in Belarus, Global Affairs Canada will initiate the regulatory process to remove Belarus from the Area Control List (ACL), thereby lifting sanctions that have been in place since December 14, 2006.

This announcement is consistent with actions taken by the United States and the European Union since October 2015 (see links below). It also reflects Canada’s acknowledgment that the Government of Belarus has made progress in key areas in recent months, including the release of political prisoners and conducting a presidential election in October 2015, which demonstrated greater adherence to international norms and was not marked by the levels of violence and intimidation seen in past elections. Canada also recognizes the constructive role played by Belarus in facilitating negotiations toward a ceasefire and peace agreement in Ukraine—the Minsk agreements—in September 2014 and February 2015.

As an interim measure while the regulatory process to remove Belarus from the ACL moves forward, Global Affairs Canada will normally issue export permits for the export to Belarus of goods and technology that are not specifically listed in the Export Control List. This practice will take effect immediately.

Going forward, Canada will continue to monitor the evolving situation in Belarus and will engage with the Government of Belarus in order to advance human rights, democratic standards and norms, and respect for the rights of civil society.

Associated links

• Government of Canada’s Area Control List
• Government of Canada’s Export Control List
• Government of Canada’s Export Controls
• U.S. Department of the Treasury: Issuance of Belarus-Related General License in October 2015 and in April 2016
• European Council: Belarus: EU suspends restrictive measures against most persons and all entities currently targeted (October 2015)
• European Council: Belarus sanctions: EU delists 170 people, 3 companies; prolongs arms embargo (February 2016)