Opposition fears that EU may lift Belarus sanctions (updated)

The European Union is to review the issue of sanctions against some Belarus officials in October. The Belarusian opposition will ask Brussels to keep the sanctions, United Civil Party chairman Anatol Lyabedzka told the European Radio for Belarus. Lyabedzka: "A softer decision or the lifting of sanctions is a negative message to the Belarusian society ahead of elections. Therefore, we have tried to shape a common position of the opposition and the civil society and to make it known in Brussels".

According to Lyabedzka, there are no grounds to lift the sanctions. But, if all EU member states do not approve the extension of the sanctions, they might be lifted.

"Consensus must reached by the member states to take a decision. This mechanism was approved last time when the sanctions were frozen. The situation is not pleasant. Last year, the sanctions were frozen partially. In order to extend the previous decision, consensus is needed. It means that all 27 nations should support it. If there is no consensus, it means that the sanctions will be lifted automatically, says Lyabedzka.

The opposition is very often accused of backing nthe sanctions against Belarus. Anatol Lyabedzka says this is a deliberate substitution of terms, because the sanctions do not apply to the whole Belarus. They are targeted and directed at some officials only.