[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 27 (Thursday, February 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E241-E242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             INTRODUCTION OF BELARUS DEMOCRACY ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 13, 2003

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the 
Belarus Democracy Act of 2003, which is intended to help promote 
democratic development, human rights and the rule of law in the 
Republic of Belarus, as well as encourage the consolidation and 
strengthening of Belarus' sovereignty and independence. I am joined by 
Congressmen Hoyer, Hoeffel and Congresswoman Slaughter, as original 
cosponsors.
  When measured against other European countries, the state of human 
rights in Belarus is abysmal--it has the worst record of any European 
state.
  Through an illegitimate 1996 referendum, Alexander Lukashenka usurped 
power, while suppressing the duly-elected legislature and the 
judiciary. His regime has repeatedly violated basic freedoms of speech, 
expression, assembly, association and religion. The democratic 
opposition, nongovernmental organizations and independent media have 
all faced harassment. Just within the last few months, we have seen a 
number of events reflecting the negative trend line: the passage of a 
repressive law on religion which bans religious activity by groups not 
registered with the government and forbids most religious meetings on 
private property; the bulldozing of a newly-built church; the 
incarceration of leading independent journalists; and the continued 
harassment, as well as physical attacks on the political opposition, 
independent media and non-governmental organizations--in short, anyone 
who, through their promotion of democracy, would stand in the way of 
the Belarusian dictator. Moreover, we have seen no progress on the 
investigation of the disappearances of political opponents--perhaps not 
surprisingly, as credible evidence points at the involvement of the 
Lukashenka regime in their murders. Furthermore, growing evidence also 
indicates Belarus has been supplying military training and weapons to 
Iraq, in violation of UN sanctions.
  Despite efforts by the U.S. Government, non-govermental 
organizations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe 
(OSCE) and other European organizations, the regime of Alexander 
Lukashenka continues its hold onto power with impunity and to the 
detriment of the Belarusian people.
  One of the primary purposes of this bill is to demonstrate U.S. 
support for those struggling to promote democracy and respect for human 
rights in Belarus despite the formidable pressures they face from the 
anti-democratic regime. The bill authorizes increases in assistance for 
democracy building activities such as support for non-governmental 
organizations, independent media including radio and television 
broadcasting to Belarus, and international exchanges. The bill also 
encourages free and fair parliamentary elections, conducted in a manner 
consistent with international standards--in sharp contrast to recent 
parliamentary and presidential elections in Belarus which flaunted 
democratic standards. As a result of these elections, Belarus has the 
distinction of lacking legitimate presidential

[[Page E242]]

and parliamentary leadership, which contributes to that country's self-
imposed isolation.
  In addition, this bill would impose sanctions against the Lukashenka 
regime, and deny highranking officials of the regime entry into the 
United States. Strategic exports to the Belarusian Government would be 
prohibited, as well as U.S. Government financing, except for 
humanitarian goods and agricultural or medical products. The U.S. 
Executive Directors of the international financial institutions would 
be encouraged to vote against financial assistance to the Government of 
Belarus except for loans and assistance that serve humanitarian needs.
  The bill would require reports from the President concerning the sale 
or delivery of weapons or weapons-related technologies from Belarus to 
rogue states.
  Mr. Speaker, finally, it is my hope that this bill would help put an 
end to the pattern of clear, gross and uncorrected violations of OSCE 
commitments by the Lukashenka regime and will serve as a catalyst to 
facilitate Belaras' integration into democratic Europe in which 
democratic principles and human rights are respected and the rule of 
law is paramount. The Belarusian people deserve our support as they 
work to overcome the legacy of the past and develop a genuinely 
independent, democratic country based on the rule of law and democratic 
institutions.

                          ____________________