State Dept. to Push Back Against OFAC Renewal of Belarusian General License

The State Department will urge the Treasury Department to not renew a Belarus-related general license following the country’s disputed presidential elections last year and its violent crackdown on peaceful protester (see 2012230030), an agency spokesperson said. The general license, which has been renewed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control every year since 2015, authorizes certain transactions with nine Belarusian entities and is scheduled to expire April 26.

“We find the human rights situation has deteriorated to arguably the worst point in Belarus's independent history, with more than 300 political prisoners currently detained in Belarus,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters March 31. “The department is unable to recommend another extension at this time.”

It’s unclear if Treasury, which has final say on general license decisions, plans to renew the authorization. Price said the State Department defers to Treasury, but the two agencies “work closely on all matters,” including on sanctions-related decisions. A Treasury spokesperson didn’t comment.

Although the State Department is “unable to recommend another extension at this time,” Price said that decision is reversible if Belarus releases its political prisoners and stops violence against the Belarusian people. “This is something that we hope does not come to pass,” Price said. “Our hope is that we will be able to renew this general license before it’s set to expire.”