(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations are made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (c.13) to establish a sanctions regime in relation to Belarus for the purposes of encouraging the Government of Belarus: to respect democratic principles and institutions, the separation of powers and the rule of law; to refrain from the repression of civil society in Belarus; to properly investigate and institute criminal proceedings against those responsible for the disappearance of four persons named in the Regulations; and to comply with international human rights law and to respect human rights. Following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, these Regulations also replace the EU sanctions regime in relation to Belarus, implemented via an EU Council Decision and Regulation.

The Regulations confer a power on the Secretary of State to designate persons who are, or have been, involved in: conduct enabling or facilitating the disappearance of the four persons named in the Regulations, or the failure to investigate properly and institute criminal proceedings against the persons responsible for those disappearances; the commission of a serious human rights violation or abuse in Belarus; the repression of civil society or democratic opposition in Belarus; or other actions, policies or activities which undermine democracy or the rule of law in Belarus. Designated persons may be excluded from the United Kingdom and may be made subject to financial sanctions, including having their funds and/or economic resources frozen.

These Regulations also impose trade restrictions on certain goods and technology, namely military goods and military technology and other goods and technology which may be used to repress the civilian population of Belarus (as specified in Schedule 2 of these Regulations).