Canada imposes trade sanctions on Belarus

Canada imposed unilateral trade sanctions on Belarus on Monday to pressure it to respect human rights and democracy. Any exports to Belarus will now require a Canadian export permit, and these will generally be denied except for humanitarian items like food, clothing and medicine.

"Canada remains very concerned that Belarus continues to ignore international appeals to restore democracy," – says the official web-site of the Canadian government.

 

Foreign Minister Peter MacKay said in a statement: "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".