EU approves new sanctions against Belarus
The European Union has adopted a fifth package of sanctions against the Belarusian regime in response to the refugee crisis. The sanctions target airlines and travel agencies that have been involved in transporting refugees to European borders.
The fifth package of EU sanctions against Belarus has been approved over the refugee crisis, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced on Monday (November 15). He said airlines and travel agencies involved in the transportation of refugees are targeted by the punitive measures.
Some 3,500 refugees are currently gathered behind the Belarusian-Polish border in sub-zero temperatures. The Polish army has sent thousands of soldiers to the border area to prevent refugees from entering despite the barbed wire.
According to an investigation by Reuters, travel agencies based in Middle Eastern countries had promised migrants large sums of money to take them to Belarus and then to the European borders via Poland. Belarusian missions in these countries also issued tourist visas to these migrants.
The European Union has now banned Belavia Airlines from flying to European countries. The EU is currently considering allowing other airlines to land.
The European Union accuses the Belarusian leadership around Alexander Lukashenko of deliberately allowing refugees from Syria and Iraq to fly to Minsk and transferring them to the Polish border region in retaliation for European sanctions, in order to create crisis and instability at the EU level.
Following the announcement of sanctions against Belarus, the Turkish airline "Turkish Airlines" immediately announced that it would no longer transport refugees to Belarus.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in this regard that work is currently underway to complete a list of natural and legal persons who will be subject to sanctions, and their names will be announced in the coming days.
Iraqi authorities announced on Monday, November 15, that the country's first flight to repatriate refugees stranded at the Belarusian-Polish border will take place. According to a spokesman for the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, these refugees will be able to return to their country voluntarily on the flight on Thursday, November 18.
Speaking on Iraqi state television, Ahmed Al-Sahhaf said that Iraqi officials have currently registered 571 people who want to return to the country at the Belarusian border.
Yesterday, Sham Wings, a private Syrian airline, announced that it would suspend its flights to Minsk until further notice due to the escalating refugee crisis on the Belarusian-Polish border.
Regarding the reason for this action, company officials have said that they are unable to determine whether the passengers on the Minsk-bound plane are traveling to Belarus solely for the purpose of traveling or as asylum seekers with the intention of seeking asylum.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, called these actions by Alexander Lukashenko and his instrumental use of refugees "vile," adding that the logical consequence is the fifth package of sanctions against the regime of this Belarusian autocrat.
Source: DW
