Belgian parliament urges EU to sanction Lebanese politicians
The Belgian Parliament has voted unanimously in favor of a resolution calling on the European Union to impose sanctions on Lebanese politicians.
The bill had been submitted by Malik Ben Achour, a member of Belgium’s socialist party who introduced the bill more than two years ago.
“It’s the first time that a parliament in Europe adopts a resolution on Lebanon calling on the EU to implement its sanctions framework,” Ben Achour told English-language Emirati newspaper The National.
“This is a strong signal of support to all those who want to fight for the rule of law in Lebanon and the independence of the judiciary,” he added.
Ben Achour had visited Beirut in late September with other European officials to meet Lebanese activists, lawyers and judges.
Adopted in July 2021, the EU’s framework for sanctions on Lebanon is designed to target those who are guilty of serious financial misconduct or obstruct the implementation of reform plans. It remains unused as the EU focuses on the war in Ukraine and rarely discusses Lebanon.
According to The National, the wide-ranging resolution adopted on Wednesday also asked the judiciary of Belgium and neighboring countries to deepen investigations into the wealth of Lebanese officials in Europe.
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