ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13405Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13405

Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus

This executive order declares a national emergency and blocks the U.S.-based assets of Belarusian government officials and others deemed responsible for undermining democratic processes, committing human rights abuses, or engaging in public corruption in Belarus following the disputed March 2006 elections. The order authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to designate additional individuals and entities for sanctions.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 35485

Impact dates

  1. Order effective; asset blocking begins

Key directives

  • Block all property and interests in property of listed/designated persons in U.S. or controlled by U.S. persons
  • Prohibit transfers, payments, exports, withdrawals, or other dealings with blocked property
  • Prohibit donations of specified articles to designated persons
  • Prohibit evasion, avoidance, or conspiracies to violate order
  • Treasury Secretary authorized to promulgate rules and regulations
  • Treasury Secretary authorized to submit recurring and final reports to Congress
  • Treasury Secretary authorized to remove persons from Annex if circumstances warrant

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Asset blocking takes effect June 19, 2006 at 12:01 a.m. EDT for persons listed in Annex
  • No prior notice required for designations

Near term (90d)

  • Treasury Secretary to promulgate implementing rules and regulations
  • Potential additional designations by Treasury Secretary after consultation with State

Long term

  • Recurring and final reports to Congress on national emergency
  • Ongoing sanctions enforcement and compliance monitoring
  • Potential removal of persons from Annex if circumstances change

Risks & tensions

  • No prior notice provision (Section 4) raises due process concerns for designated persons
  • Broad delegation to Treasury Secretary with State Department consultation creates interagency dynamics
  • Vague 'undermining democratic processes' standard could lead to expansive interpretation
  • Annex list not published in this text—actual scope of immediate sanctions unclear without separate document
Executive Order 13405: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Belarus · Executive Orders