BRUSSELS — The Council of the European Union on has extended sanctions against Belarus by a year, the Council said.
"Following an annual review, the Council today extended EU restrictive measures against Belarus until 31 October 2014," it said Tuesday in a statement.
"This is because not all political prisoners have been released, no released prisoner has been rehabilitated, and the respect for human rights, the rule of law and democratic principles has not improved in Belarus," it said.
A total of 232 persons and 25 entities remain subject to EU sanctions, namely, a travel ban and freeze of assets.
The legal acts will enter into force upon publication in the EU Official Journal of Oct. 30, the Council said.
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