In view of Belarus's continued involvement in Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine, the EU adopted further sanctions against Belarus on 29 June. The measures were aimed at further aligning the sanctions against Belarus with those imposed on Russia in relation to the situation in Ukraine. The harmonisation is intended, inter alia, to prevent the existing sanctions against Russia from being circumvented.On 30 October, the Federal Council decided to adopt the EU measures of 29 June against Belarus. The measures are align to the sanctions already adopted by the EU and subsequently by Switzerland against Russia.
In the financial sector, the new sanctions against Belarus include a ban on investment in companies operating in the Belarusian energy sector. In the trade sector, the bans on exports and imports have been tightened; for example, the purchase and import of gold, diamonds, coal and crude oil from Belarus or of Belarusian origin are now prohibited. There are also new bans on the sale and export to Belarus of luxury goods, goods for oil refining and the liquefaction of natural gas, goods to enhance the Belarusian industrial capacities, jet fuel and fuel additives, and maritime goods.
In addition, existing bans - for example, on dual-use goods - are being extended to include the transit of these goods through Belarus. Similar to the sanctions against Russia, a contractual obligation is being introduced for exporters to prohibit the re-export from a third country to Belarus of certain goods (‘Common High Priority Items'), including those that are built into equipment used for warfare against Ukraine. This measure is intended to prevent the sanctions applicable in Switzerland from being circumvented via third countries.
The provision of various services to the Republic of Belarus and its public bodies is now prohibited. Finally, legislation has been introduced to better protect Swiss companies. The legislation enables Swiss companies to claim damages in Swiss courts from Belarusian individuals and businesses for losses incurred as a result of arbitrary proceedings in Belarus against them by companies affected by sanctions.
With the measures of 29 June, the EU introduced a broadly formulated obligation for businesses to ensure that their subsidiaries in third countries do not undermine the EU's sanctions. In line with its decision of 16 October not to adopt this provision in relation to the situation in Ukraine, the Federal Council has decided not to align itself with this EU measure with regard to Belarus. The Federal Council has also decided not to adopt the EU's due diligence provision to prevent the re-export of high-priority goods to Belarus as Swiss companies are already legally obliged to comply with sanctions. An extension of the ban on freight transport was also not adopted.
Further information:
Measures against Belarus (German, French, Italian)
Amtliche Sammlung Nr. 177 vom 30. Oktober 2024 | Fedlex
Recueil officiel N° 177 du 30 octobre 2024 | Fedlex
legal_texts.official_compilation legal_texts.num... | Fedlex
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