Belarus has recently attracted global attention after the European Union (EU) decided to impose sanctions against the country, including a ban on its airlines from utilizing the airspace and airports of the 27-nation bloc EU.
Understanding Belarus’ Political Landscape
The history of Belarus’ politics provides a backdrop to this situation. Alexander Lukashenko, often referred to as Europe’s “last dictator”, has been ruling Belarus since 1994, during the disarray that followed the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Maintaining elements of Soviet communism, Lukashenko has ruled with an iron fist, tightly controlling the economy, suppressing opposition with censorship, and police action.
In 2020, mass protests erupted in the capital, Minsk, in the wake of the presidential elections where Lukashenko was declared the winner. The peaceful protests met with violent security crackdowns and sparked fury against the government due to a faltering economy and doubt over the fairness of the election.
Earlier Sanctions against Belarus
In response to the brutal repression of protests, in 2020, the EU and USA imposed multiple rounds of financial sanctions against Belarus. Targeted travel restrictions and financial sanctions were also imposed on nine state-owned entities and 16 individuals, including President Lukashenko by the US. First implemented in 2006, these measures were further tightened in 2008. As early as 2004, the EU had introduced restrictive measures against Belarus, following the disappearance of four high-profile figures from opposition circles.
The Reason behind the Recent Sanctions
Belarus’ forceful diversion of a passenger jet to arrest an opposition journalist is at the heart of the recent sanctions. This act was unequivocally condemned by Western powers and labeled as “state piracy”.
Actions taken by the EU
The EU has demanded that Belarusian airlines be prohibited from the bloc’s airspace, advising EU-based carriers to refrain from flying over the former Soviet republic. The EU has also called for an investigation into the forced plane diversion, expanding the list of Belarusian individuals already under sanction and urging the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to initiate a prompt inquiry into Belarus’s act. Additionally, it has called for the release of the detained journalist.
Since October 2020, the EU has progressively tightened restrictions against key political figures from Belarus, imposing travel bans and asset freezes. After the recent incident, the EU decided to add more targets to its existing sanction list of 88 individuals and seven entities.
Economic Implications for Belarus
Belarus lies on several crucial flight routes between Europe and Asia, and within Europe itself. Avoiding Belarus’ airspace would increase flight times and cost airlines additional money. Belarus reportedly earns up to 70,000 Euro each day from airlines entering its airspace; although the loss of this revenue would inconvenience Belarus, it is unlikely to significantly impact the nation’s overall economy.
About the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
The ICAO is a specialized agency of United Nations, established in 1944, which sets the standards and procedures for global air navigation. Its primary objective is to foster the planning and development of international air transport, ensuring safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation globally.
What Lies Ahead
For a potential resolution to the crisis, the President of Belarus must take steps towards establishing a legitimate government. This includes reaching out to opposition forces to initiate talks aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the ongoing unrest.
