[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H6515-H6518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
URGING GOVERNMENT OF BELARUS TO ENSURE DEMOCRATIC, TRANSPARENT, AND
FAIR ELECTION PROCESS
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 652) urging the Government of the Republic of
Belarus to ensure a democratic, transparent, and fair election process
for its parliamentary elections in the fall of 2004.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 652
Whereas the establishment of a democratic, transparent, and
fair election process
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for the 2004 parliamentary elections in the Republic of
Belarus and of a genuinely democratic political system are
prerequisites for that country's integration into the Western
community of nations;
Whereas the Government of Belarus has accepted numerous
specific commitments governing the conduct of elections as a
participating State of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), including provisions of the
Copenhagen Document;
Whereas the election in the fall of 2004 of Belarus's next
parliament will provide an unambiguous test of the extent of
the Belarusian authorities' commitment to implement these
standards and build a democratic society based on free
elections and the rule of law;
Whereas previous parliamentary elections in Belarus have
not fully met international standards;
Whereas it is the duty of government and public authorities
at all levels to act in a manner consistent with all laws and
regulations governing election procedures and to ensure free
and fair elections throughout the entire country, including
preventing activities aimed at undermining the free exercise
of political rights;
Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires a
period of political campaigning conducted in an environment
in which neither administrative action nor violence,
intimidation, or detention hinder the parties, political
associations, and the candidates from presenting their views
and qualifications to the citizenry, including organizing
supporters, conducting public meetings and events throughout
the country, and enjoying unimpeded access to television,
radio, print, and Internet media on a non-discriminatory
basis;
Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires that
citizens be guaranteed the right and effective opportunity to
exercise their civil and political rights, including the
right to vote free from intimidation, threats of political
retribution, or other forms of coercion by national or local
authorities or others;
Whereas a genuinely free and fair election requires the
full transparency of laws and regulations governing
elections, multiparty representation on election commissions,
and unobstructed access by candidates, political parties, and
domestic and international observers to all election
procedures, including voting and vote-counting in all areas
of the country;
Whereas control and manipulation of the media by national
and local officials and others acting at their behest could
raise grave concerns regarding the commitment of the
Belarusian authorities to free and fair elections;
Whereas efforts by national and local officials and others
acting at their behest to impose obstacles to free assembly,
free speech, and a free and fair political campaign could
call into question the fairness of the upcoming elections;
and
Whereas the arrest or intimidation of opposition political
parties and candidates such as the leader of the United Civic
Party and others involved with the opposition including those
associated with the Coalition Five Plus represents a
deliberate assault on the democratic process: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) looks forward to the development of cordial relations
between the United States and the Republic of Belarus;
(2) emphasizes that a precondition for the integration of
Belarus into the Western community of nations is its
establishment of a genuinely democratic political system;
(3) expresses its strong and continuing support for the
efforts of the Belarusian people to establish a full
democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in
Belarus;
(4) urges the Government of Belarus to guarantee freedom of
association and assembly, including the right of candidates,
members of political parties, and others to freely assemble,
to organize and conduct public events, and to exercise these
and other rights free from intimidation or harassment by
local or national officials or others acting at their behest;
(5) urges the Government of Belarus to meet its
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
commitments on democratic elections;
(6) urges the Belarusian authorities to ensure--
(A) the full transparency of election procedures before,
during, and after the 2004 parliamentary elections;
(B) free access for Belarusian and international election
observers;
(C) multiparty representation on all election commissions;
(D) unimpeded access by all parties and candidates to
print, radio, television, and Internet media on a non-
discriminatory basis;
(E) freedom of candidates, members of opposition parties,
and independent media organizations from intimidation or
harassment by government officials at all levels via
selective tax audits and other regulatory procedures, and in
the case of media, license revocations and libel suits, among
other measures;
(F) a transparent process for complaint and appeals through
electoral commissions and within the court system that
provides timely and effective remedies; and
(G) vigorous prosecution of any individual or organization
responsible for violations of election laws or regulations,
including the application of appropriate administrative or
criminal penalties;
(7) further calls upon the Government of Belarus to
guarantee election monitors from the Office of Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), other participating
States of the OSCE, Belarusian political parties, candidates'
representatives, nongovernmental organizations, and other
private institutions and organizations, both foreign and
domestic, unobstructed access to all aspects of the election
process, including unimpeded access to public campaign
events, candidates, news media, voting, and post-election
tabulation of results and processing of election challenges
and complaints;
(8) encourages the international community, including the
Council of Europe, the OSCE, and the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, to continue their efforts to support democracy in
Belarus and urges countries such as Lithuania and other
Baltic countries and Nordic countries to continue to provide
assistance to nongovernmental organizations and other
Belarusian organizations involved in promoting democracy and
fair elections in Belarus; and
(9) pledges its support to the Belarusian people, their
commitment to a fully free and open democratic system, their
creation of a prosperous free market economy, and their
country's assumption of its rightful place as a full and
equal member of the Western community of democracies.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hensarling). Pursuant to the rule, the
gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentleman from California (Mr.
Lantos) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach).
General Leave
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H. Res. 652.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Iowa?
There was no objection.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 652, which calls on the
Government of Belarus to ensure that parliamentary elections which will
take place in October of this year are democratic, transparent, and
fair.
Thirteen years after the fall of Communism, Belarus remains one of
the few nations in Europe where the transition to democracy has not
taken sufficient root. The current political leadership continues to
rule in an authoritarian manner and its government continues to track
down those individuals and organizations who are trying to help build
support for democracy and democratic institutions.
Unlike the situation in Ukraine, the government in Belarus has thus
far not given any clear indication that it is committed to free and
fair elections. However, in a recent meeting with the ambassador from
Belarus, the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) of the Subcommittee
on Europe was led to believe that the government's positions on the
elections could be positive. The ambassador gave assurances that the
government would enforce the elections codes and would allow all
political parties to have representatives on the electoral commissions
which oversee implementation of the elections. He also indicated that
Belarus would cooperate with the OSCE and would allow international
observers.
At a hearing the Subcommittee on Europe held in March on Belarus, the
gentleman from Nebraska (Chairman Bereuter) pointed out that the
gentleman from Illinois (Speaker Hastert) and several Members met with
the leaders of the Belarus opposition, collectively known as the
Coalition Five-Plus, to discuss the elections and their visions for a
democratic future for Belarus.
This group of political parties is united in a common platform in an
attempt to bring democracy and respectability back to the Belarus
Parliament.
{time} 1900
Unfortunately, members of the opposition political parties and
participants in political demonstrations continue to be subjected to
harassment, surveillance by government agents, arrests and physical
abuse. For these reasons, it is important that the United States
Government, including this Congress, continue to emphatically express
our strong support for free, fair, and transparent elections.
In Europe, the situation in Belarus understandably seems to be of
equal
[[Page H6517]]
concern. The OSCE, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe have all expressed deep
concerns over Belarus and its forthcoming elections. In fact, members
have been informed that the Chair of the Belarus Working Group of the
OSCE Parliamentary Working Assembly recently visited Minsk for
additional discussions on the elections.
Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 652 emphasizes that if Belarus is ever to become
more integrated into the community of democratic nations, it must work
toward the establishment of a genuinely democratic political system in
which the freedom of association and assembly are guaranteed. It also
must be a fact that political candidates from the opposition should be
free from political harassment and intimidation as they campaign for
office, and in which the media is free to act independently, free from
government control or intimidation.
Finally, there must be a system in which elections and the electoral
process are open, transparent, and fair if Belarus wishes to be
included in the community of democratic nations.
The parliamentary elections this fall will be a litmus test for
President Lukashenko's commitment to democracy and the direction he
intends to take Belarus in the future.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 652 rather precisely explains the
concerns and recommendations of the United States House of
Representatives. It has been crafted by the gentleman from Nebraska
(Mr. Bereuter), and the Congress is in his debt for emphasizing the
importance of this issue to the people of Belarus, as well as Europe
and the United States.
I also would like to thank the distinguished ranking member of the
committee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), for his
leadership on so many issues, particularly those that relate to the
historical transitions taking place in Eastern Europe.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this resolution and urge all of my
colleagues to do so as well.
Over the past 2 decades, totalitarian government after totalitarian
government has fallen to the forces of democracy in one of the greatest
achievements of the modern era. Tin-pot dictators and brutal military
thugs have been tossed out of their ruling palaces, replaced by leaders
chosen in fair elections, leaders willing to govern in an open and
transparent manner.
Sadly, Mr. Speaker, some dictatorial regimes continue to cling to
power, using brutal force, intimidation, and torture to resist the
worldwide trend towards democracy. Without a doubt, Alexander
Lukashenko Belarus is a rising star in the world's list of rogue
dictators.
In 1996, Lukashenko amended the constitution in a flawed referendum
and in 2001 extended his term in office through an election that was
neither free nor fair. He stole local elections in March and in
November of 2003.
Mr. Speaker, the list of Lukashenko's violations of internationally
recognized human rights does not end with fraudulent elections.
Political opponents are intimidated, arrested, or disappear without a
trace. Independent media outlets have been closed, and journalists are
prevented from writing the truth.
Nongovernmental organizations have been closed. United States
nongovernmental organizations attempting to promote political party
development have been kicked out of Belarus. Trade union leaders have
been repressed, and religious freedom has been eroded. In short, Mr.
Speaker, the human rights and democracy situation in Belarus is on a
steady downwards path.
Belarus is now preparing for parliamentary elections in October. Our
resolution calls upon the Government of Belarus to ensure that these
important elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.
The United States and the European Union have been working jointly to
encourage the government to conduct these elections in an open manner
under the watchful eye of the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe. I have no confidence, however, that Lukashenko has any
intention of listening to the voices of his own citizens or those of
the international community who are demanding political change.
Yet, the Government of Belarus must understand that we will never
forget the cause of human rights and the cause of democracy in Belarus,
and that the United States and Belarus will never have fully normal
relations until Belarus moves assertively and convincingly towards a
democratic form of government.
I strongly support passage of this resolution, and I urge all of my
colleagues to do so as well.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).
Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, it is great to be down here on the floor
with my friends and colleagues who want to continue to push for freedom
and democracy. I dabble in this as not a professional on the committee,
but I cannot think of a better way to spend one's additional free time
than to work with the colleagues and friends that I have on the
Committee on International Relations in promoting freedom and
democracy. If the United States is not about freedom and democracy for
ourselves and for other countries, then what are we for?
The great words of the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and, of
course, the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), I cannot really add
to them. I just want to add my voice to the chorus of many, as Chair of
the Baltic Caucus and concerned about that region of Europe, and,
really, the last dictator in Europe and his oppression of the
democratic movement, that he needs to be placed on notice.
They have upcoming elections. They are not being conducted fairly and
freely, and there is harassment, there is intimidation, there are
beatings. Even by their own rules, they are not allowing fair coverage
by the state-run television media. It is important for us here to let
them know publicly, through this debate and through passage of this
resolution, that we are watching and that we are not going to go away;
and we are going to join with our friends in the international
community. We are going to join with our friends in Western and Eastern
Europe and the NATO countries, and we are going to continue to say, for
the sake of your own people, for the sake of freedom and democracy and
economic growth and vitality, join the Western free countries. Tear
down your borders, open up your system, allow your people to choose.
There are very credible organizations and groups of committed
citizens of Belarus joined in the Party of Five, very disparate
elements, different ideologies. They so much want freedom and democracy
that they have put aside the ideological debate on how to run a
government, to say, let us have democracy. Let us first get to the
basic, fundamental principles of democracy and freedom, and then let
us, in a peaceful setting, sometimes probably as rancorous as we have
on the floor of the House, let us then, in open debate, decide how we
are going to do that.
I have met with them. They are patriots, and they are again from the
far right and the far left, and they only want one thing. They want
access to the political system and the democratic process.
We are watching. This resolution continues to put Mr. Lukashenko on
notice that we are not going to go away. The international community is
here, we are behind not only the people of Belarus, not only the people
of the region, but the whole international community in calling for
free, fair, and honorable elections this October.
I thank the members of the Committee on International Relations,
especially the chairman and the ranking member, for making sure that
this is put on record and that we have a chance to speak on it on the
floor tonight. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the
future.
Mr. LEACH. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hensarling). The question is on the
motion offered by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 652.
[[Page H6518]]
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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