Canada mentioned on Thursday it had imposed sanctions on an extra 31 officers in Belarus, growing worldwide strain on President Alexander Lukashenko to discover a negotiated resolution to mass protests calling for him to cede energy.
Canada and the UK collectively imposed a primary spherical of sanctions final month.
READ MORE: Over 700 Belarus protesters detained in harshest crackdown in weeks
In an announcement, Canada mentioned these sanctions had been coordinated with the US and the European Union “in response to gross and systemic human rights violations”.
There have been no particulars as to who was focused. The sanctions purpose to assist pro-democracy protests in Minsk in opposition to Lukashenko, who opponents say has illegally extended his 26-year rule by way of a fraudulent vote in August.
“As we speak’s actions assist wider worldwide efforts to hunt a diplomatic decision to the disaster in Belarus,” Canadian International Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne mentioned.
Lukashenko is grappling to comprise almost two months of road protests difficult his rule. Greater than 13,000 individuals have been arrested, and main opposition figures jailed or exiled.
Lukashenko denies electoral fraud.
