YesGreat Britain and Canada have announced sanctions against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka and seven other government officials. “The window of opportunity is closing to affect what happens in Belarus,” Foreign Minister Dominic Rab told Reuters on Tuesday during a visit to Seoul. “We believe now is the time to take action.” There should be consequences for human rights violations and election fraud. Raab said an entry ban applies to the sanctioned, and the property of those affected will freeze. This is a “clear message” for the “violent and insidious regime” in Belarus that both countries “do not accept the results of this bogus election”.

News agency Reuters on Thursday already learned that Great Britain, the United States and Canada are planning sanctions in relation to the presidential election on August 9. The EU’s correspondence plan has so far failed due to resistance from Cyprus.

Many states do not recognize Lukashenka’s re-election. Since the vote in early August, thousands of people have been protesting against the ruler in Belarus. Police clamped down on the protesters and hundreds of people were arrested.