BRUSSELS, October 30. /TASS/. The Council of the European Union is extending sanctions against Belarus until the end of October 2015, the organization said on Thursday.

“This is because not all political prisoners have been released, no released prisoner has been rehabilitated and respect for human rights, rule of law and democratic principles has not improved in Belarus,” a media statement said.

The EU’s restrictive measures, such as travel bans and asset freezes for some individuals, were imposed after 2010 presidential elections had fuelled opposition protests. They are reviewed every year during European Council sessions. Last year’s sanctions expire on October 31, 2014.

More than 200 Belarusian citizens are not allowed to enter the EU, President Alexander Lukashenko has said.