At a press conference in Washington, the head of US diplomacy, like his deputy Stephen Biegun, spoke out in favor of “genuinely free and fair elections with the participation of independent observers.”
“We demand an immediate end to the violence against them (Belarusians) and the release of all unjust detainees, including the US citizen Vitalia Shkliarov,” Popmpeo said.
The secretary of state also said the US is working with European allies to “review significant targeted sanctions against all those involved in violation of human rights “in Belarus.
Pompeo’s statement is in line with Tuesday’s declaration of a State Department official who, while reserving anonymity, told Reuters that the United States was considering sanctions against Belarus. They are to concern seven citizens of this country. The imposition of sanctions is to be related to participation in the rigging of the presidential elections in Belarus and the violence against peaceful protesters in that country.
In Belarus, there have been protests for more than three weeks against the rigging of the presidential election, won by Alexander Lukashenko according to official results. In June, the White House extended by one year the sanctions against the Belarusian president and some of his officials, which had been in force since 2006.
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