European Union Approves New Sanctions Against Belarus
The European Union approved the fifth package of sanctions against the Belarusian regime in response to the refugee crisis. These sanctions target airlines and travel agencies that have played a role in transporting refugees to European borders.
Josep Borrell, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, announced on Monday, November 15 (November 24 in the Islamic calendar) that the fifth package of EU sanctions against Belarus was approved due to the refugee crisis. He stated that airlines and travel agencies that played a role in transporting refugees have been targeted by these punitive measures.
Currently, approximately 3,500 refugees are gathered behind the shared borders of Belarus and Poland in sub-zero temperatures. The Polish army has sent thousands of soldiers to this border area to prevent refugees from crossing into Polish territory, with the help of barbed wire fences.
Based on investigations conducted by Reuters, travel agencies located in Middle Eastern countries had promised migrants, in exchange for substantial sums of money, to transfer them to Belarus and then to European borders through Poland. Belarus’s representation in these countries also issued tourist visas to these migrants.
The European Union has now banned flights of “Belavia Airline” to European destinations. The EU is currently reviewing permission for landings by other airlines.
The European Union accuses the leadership of Belarus under Alexander Lukashenko of deliberately allowing refugees from Syria and Iraq to fly to Minsk in retaliation for European sanctions, and then transferring them to the Polish border area to create crisis and instability within the European Union.
Following the announcement of sanctions against Belarus, Turkish airline “Turkish Airlines” immediately announced that it would no longer transport refugees to Belarus.
Heiko Maas, Germany’s foreign minister, said in this regard that work is currently underway to complete a list of natural and legal persons who will be sanctioned, and their names will be announced in the coming days.
Iraqi officials announced on Monday, November 15 that their country’s first flight to return displaced refugees at the Belarus-Poland border to Iraq will take place. According to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesperson, these refugees can voluntarily return to their country on Thursday, November 18 on this flight.
Ahmad al-Sahaf, who spoke on Iraqi state television, said that Iraqi officials have currently registered 571 people who wish to return to the country at the Belarus borders.
Yesterday, “Cham Wings,” a private Syrian airline, announced that it is suspending its flights to Minsk until further notice due to the escalating refugee crisis at the Belarus-Poland border.
Officials of the company stated in relation to the reason for this action that they are unable to determine whether passengers flying to Minsk on this aircraft are traveling to Belarus solely for the purpose of tourism or as refugees seeking asylum.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, described Alexander Lukashenko’s actions and his instrumental use of refugees as “despicable” and added that the logical consequence is the fifth package of sanctions against the regime of this authoritarian Belarusian leader.
Source: DW
