Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/421 of 24 February 2023 amending Decision 2012/642/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Belarus and the involvement of Belarus in the Russian aggression against Ukraine

Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/421 regarding sanction measures „in view of the situation in Belarus“ and Belarus‘ support regarding Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine was published in the Official Journal (OJ) of the EU. The decision modifies Council Decision 2012/642/CFSP which sets out a sanctions framework and targeted sanctions against firms, entities, and persons involved in human rights abuses to suppress democracy in Belarus or involved in fraud during presidential elections, and / or the disappearance of „inconvenient persons“.
Specifically, the 2023 Decision extends the general application date of the sanction measures (asset freezes, trade restrictions, trespassing restrictions) set out in the 2012 Decision by one year up to February 28, 2024.
Also, the Decision modifies several existing records in the corresponding sanctions list set out in the Annex to the 2012 Decision. This action is also outlined in a corresponding regulation (Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/419). Please see EventID #19743 in this context for more information.