MEP from the Swedish Liberal Party Karin Karlsbro suggested banning Belarus from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest. This was reported on the website of the parliamentarian.
According to her, it is unacceptable for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to cooperate with the National State TV and Radio Company of the republic, since its head Ivan Eismont is under EU sanctions.
Carlsbro intends to send a letter to the EBU and collect signatures under it. The MP noted that Eurovision is a competition that aims to unite European countries. However, the state-owned television company, which harass its employees and journalists, and also has a manager who is on the EU sanctions list, cannot take part in the competition.
A new, third package of EU sanctions against the leadership of Belarus was adopted on December 17. The list includes 29 officials, including the head of the National State TV and Radio Company Ivan Eismont, as well as seven legal entities, including the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant and Beltechexport.
The European Union does not recognize the results of the presidential elections in Belarus on August 9 and the victory of Alexander Lukashenko. The sanctions are also a response to massive violence by the Belarusian security forces against protesters and the persecution of the opposition. Lukashenka believes that the elections were held in accordance with the law, and the actions of the security forces did not go beyond what was permissible.
