The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

The European Union's foreign ministers agreed at their meeting on Monday to broaden the criteria for imposing "restrictive measures" on Belarusian persons and entities in response to human rights abuse and the persecution of the government's political opponents.

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) may recommend the Committee of Ministers to introduce restrictive measures against Minsk after the example of the European Union, Andres Herkel, PACE rapporteur for Belarus, said in an interview with BelaPAN in Strasbourg on Monday, BelaPAN said.

The House of Representatives of the United States has announced about news sanctions against Belarus.

A list of officials subject to visa sanctions was expanded and financial restrictions were imposed on the country’s political leaders and security service chiefs.

The EU's press-center has informed that two officials who participated in the trial against HR defender Ales Byalyatski were included into the "black list".

Vilnius intends to add 18 Belarusian officials to those banned from entering Lithuania.

Mothers and wives of the repressed Belarusians have addressed pro-democracy politicians and public in Belarus.

The full text of the address had been offered to charter97.org website”

The United States' fresh economic sanctions against Belarusian enterprises "are not directed at the people of Belarus," the US Department of State said on August 11.

The woes of imprisoned politician Dzmitry Bandarenka, who underwent back surgery this week, can prompt the Council of the European Union to expand its economic sanctions against Minsk, Jacek Protasiewicz, head of the European Parliament`s Delegation for Relations with Belarus, said in an interview with Polskie Radio on Thursday.