BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

19/12/2006

Canada Takes Economic Action Against Belarus

No. 159

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade, today announced that Canada is taking new measures against Belarus by limiting Canadian exports to that country.

"Canada remains very concerned that Belarus continues to ignore international appeals to restore democracy," said Minister MacKay. "From a flawed election to the continued imprisonment of democratic supporters, Belarus persists in its flagrant abuse of human rights and the rule of law. Canada and the international community must keep pressure on Belarus to improve conditions for its people."

"It is Canada's hope that economic pressure in the form of export restrictions will help bring about positive change in Belarus," said Minister Emerson.

Adding Belarus to the Area Control List means that all exports from Canada to Belarus require an export permit issued under the authority of the Export and Import Permits Act. Stakeholders were notified of the proposed amendment through a Canada Gazette notice on July 8, 2006. Views received during the consultation period were taken into consideration prior to the government's decision to implement this measure.

All applications for permits to export items to Belarus will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Permits for humanitarian items-including food, clothing, medicines, medical supplies, information material, casual gifts and personal effects belonging to persons leaving Canada for Belarus-will generally be approved. Permits for other items will generally be denied.

Exporters wishing to export any items to Belarus should contact the Export Controls Division at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada for information concerning the export permit application process.

For more information, visit http://www.exportcontrols.gc.ca.

Source:

http://www.news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=263379