[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H4632-H4638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             BELARUS DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACT OF 2011

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 515) to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, 
as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 515

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Belarus Democracy and Human 
     Rights Act of 2011''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS; STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       Sections 2 and 3 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 
     (Public Law 109-480; 22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended to read 
     as follows:

     ``SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       ``Congress finds the following:
       ``(1) The Government of Belarus has engaged in a pattern of 
     clear and uncorrected violations of human rights and 
     fundamental freedoms.
       ``(2) The Government of Belarus has engaged in a pattern of 
     clear and uncorrected violations of basic principles of 
     democratic governance, including through a series of 
     fundamentally flawed presidential and parliamentary elections 
     undermining the legitimacy of executive and legislative 
     authority in that country.
       ``(3) The Government of Belarus has subjected thousands of 
     pro-democratic political activists to harassment, beatings, 
     and jailings, particularly as a result of their attempts to 
     peacefully exercise their right to freedom of assembly and 
     association.
       ``(4) The Government of Belarus has attempted to maintain a 
     monopoly over the country's information space, targeting 
     independent media, including independent journalists, for 
     systematic reprisals and elimination, while suppressing the 
     right to freedom of speech and expression of those dissenting 
     from the dictatorship of Aleksandr Lukashenka, and adopted 
     laws restricting the media, including the Internet, in a 
     manner inconsistent with international human rights 
     agreements.
       ``(5) The Government of Belarus continues a systematic 
     campaign of harassment, repression, and closure of 
     nongovernmental organizations, including independent trade 
     unions and entrepreneurs, and this crackdown has created a 
     climate of fear that inhibits the development of civil 
     society and social solidarity.
       ``(6) The Government of Belarus has subjected leaders and 
     members of select ethnic and religious minorities to 
     harassment, including the imposition of heavy fines and 
     denying permission to meet for religious services, sometimes 
     by selective enforcement of the 2002 Belarus religion law.
       ``(7) The Government of Belarus has attempted to silence 
     dissent by persecuting human rights and pro-democracy 
     activists with threats, firings, expulsions, beatings and 
     other forms of intimidation, and restrictions on freedom of 
     movement and prohibition of international travel.
       ``(8) The dictator of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenka, 
     established himself in power by orchestrating an illegal and 
     unconstitutional referendum that enabled him to impose a new 
     constitution, abolishing the duly elected parliament, the 
     13th Supreme Soviet, installing a largely powerless National 
     Assembly, extending his term in office, and removing 
     applicable term limits.
       ``(9) The Government of Belarus has failed to make a 
     convincing effort to solve the cases of disappeared 
     opposition figures Yuri Zakharenka, Viktor Gonchar, and 
     Anatoly Krasovsky and journalist Dmitry Zavadsky, even though 
     credible allegations and evidence links top officials of the 
     Government to these disappearance.

[[Page H4633]]

       ``(10) The Government of Belarus has restricted freedom of 
     expression on the Internet by requiring Internet Service 
     Providers to maintain data on Internet users and the sites 
     they view and to provide such data to officials upon request, 
     and by creating a government body with the authority to 
     require Internet Service Providers to block Web sites.
       ``(11) On December 19, 2010, the Government of Belarus 
     conducted a presidential election that failed to meet the 
     standards of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
     Europe (OSCE) for democratic elections.
       ``(12) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election 
     the Government of Belarus responded to opposition protests by 
     beating scores of protestors and detaining more than 600 
     peaceful protestors.
       ``(13) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election 
     the Government of Belarus jailed seven of the nine opposition 
     presidential candidates and abused the process of criminal 
     prosecution to persecute them.
       ``(14) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election, 
     the Government of Belarus disrupted independent broadcast and 
     Internet media, and engaged in repressive actions against 
     independent journalists.
       ``(15) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election, 
     Belarusian security services and police conducted raids 
     targeting civil society groups, individual pro-democracy 
     activists, and independent media.
       ``(16) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election, 
     Belarusian officials refused to extend the mandate of the 
     OSCE Office in Minsk.
       ``(17) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election, 
     opposition candidates and activists have been persecuted and 
     detainees have been physically mistreated, and denied access 
     to family, defense counsel, medical treatment, and open legal 
     proceedings.
       ``(18) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election, 
     lawyers representing those facing criminal charges related to 
     the post-election protest have been subjected to the 
     revocation of licenses, disbarment, and other forms of 
     pressure.
       ``(19) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election, 
     the Government of Belarus has convicted political detainees 
     to harsh prison sentences.
       ``(20) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election, 
     the United States and European Union imposed targeted travel 
     and financial sanctions on an expanded list of officials of 
     the Government of Belarus.
       ``(21) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election, 
     the United States fully restored sanctions against Belarus's 
     largest state-owned petroleum and chemical conglomerate and 
     all of its subsidiaries.
       ``(22) After the December 19, 2010, presidential election, 
     the United States has engaged in assistance efforts to 
     provide legal and humanitarian assistance to those facing 
     repression and preserving access to independent information, 
     and has pledged resources to support human rights advocates, 
     trade unions, youth and environmental groups, business 
     associations, think-tanks, democratic political parties and 
     movements, independent journalists, newspapers and electronic 
     media operating both inside Belarus and broadcasting from its 
     neighbors, and to support access of Belarusian students to 
     independent higher education and expand exchange programs for 
     business and civil society leaders.
       ``(23) The Department of State, the Department of the 
     Treasury, and other executive branch agencies have heretofore 
     made effective use of this Act to promote the purposes of 
     this Act, as stated in section 3 of this Act.

     ``SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY.

       ``It is the policy of the United States to--
       ``(1) condemn the conduct of the December 19, 2010, 
     presidential election and crackdown on opposition candidates, 
     political leaders, and activists, civil society 
     representatives, and journalists;
       ``(2) continue to call for the immediate release without 
     preconditions of all political prisoners in Belarus, 
     including all those individuals detained in connection with 
     the December 19, 2010, presidential election;
       ``(3) continue to support the aspirations of the people of 
     Belarus for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law;
       ``(4) continue to support the aspirations of the people of 
     Belarus to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their 
     country;
       ``(5) continue to support the growth of democratic 
     movements and institutions in Belarus, which empower the 
     people of Belarus to end tyranny in their country;
       ``(6) continue to refuse to accept the results of the 
     fundamentally flawed December 19, 2010, presidential election 
     held in Belarus, and to support calls for new presidential 
     and parliamentary elections, conducted in a manner that is 
     free and fair according to OSCE standards;
       ``(7) continue to call for the fulfillment by the 
     Belarusian government of Belarus's freely undertaken 
     obligations as an OSCE participating state;
       ``(8) continue to call for a full accounting of the 
     disappearances of opposition leaders and journalists in 
     Belarus, including Victor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, Yuri 
     Zakharenka, and Dmitry Zavadsky, and the prosecution of those 
     individuals who are in any way responsible for the 
     disappearance of those opposition leaders and journalists;
       ``(9) continue to work closely with the European Union and 
     other countries and international organizations, to promote 
     the conditions necessary for the integration of Belarus into 
     the European family of democracies;
       ``(10) call on the International Ice Hockey Federation to 
     suspend its plan to hold the 2014 International World Ice 
     Hockey championship in Minsk until the Government of Belarus 
     releases all political prisoners; and
       ``(11) remain open to reevaluating United States policy 
     toward Belarus as warranted by demonstrable progress made by 
     the Government of Belarus consistent with the aims of this 
     Act as stated in this section.''.

     SEC. 3. RADIO AND TELEVISION BROADCASTING TO BELARUS.

       Section 5 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 
     109-480; 22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 5. RADIO, TELEVISION, AND INTERNET BROADCASTING TO 
                   BELARUS.

       ``It is the sense of Congress that the President should 
     continue to support radio, television, and Internet 
     broadcasting to the people of Belarus in languages spoken in 
     Belarus, by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Voice of 
     America, European Radio for Belarus, and Belsat.''.

     SEC. 4. SANCTIONS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF BELARUS.

       Section 6 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 
     109-480; 22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or expression, 
     including those individuals jailed based on political beliefs 
     or expression in connection with repression that attended the 
     presidential election of December 19, 2010'' before the 
     period at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``, including 
     politically motivated legal charges made in connection with 
     repression that attended the presidential election of 
     December 19, 2010'' before the period at the end;
       (C) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``and violations of 
     human rights, including violations of human rights committed 
     in connection with the presidential election of December 19, 
     2010'' before the period at the end; and
       (D) in paragraph (7), by striking ``internationally 
     recognized observers'' and inserting ``OSCE observers'';
       (2) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by striking ``subparagraph (A)'' and inserting 
     ``paragraph (1)''; and
       (ii) by striking ``or'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting a semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(4) is a member of any branch of the security or law 
     enforcement services of Belarus and has participated in the 
     violent crackdown on opposition leaders, journalists, and 
     peaceful protestors that occurred in connection with the 
     presidential election of December 19, 2010; or
       ``(5) is a member of any branch of the security or law 
     enforcement services of Belarus and has participated in the 
     persecution or harassment of religious groups, human rights 
     defenders, democratic opposition groups, or independent media 
     or journalists.'';
       (3) in subsection (e), by striking ``of each international 
     financial institution to which'' and inserting ``at each 
     international financial institution of which''; and
       (4) in subsection (f)(2)(B)(ii), by striking ``(as defined 
     in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code)''.

     SEC. 5. REPORT.

       Section 8(a) of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public 
     Law 109-480; 22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``this Act'' and inserting ``the Belarus Democracy and Human 
     Rights Act of 2011'';
       (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``sale or delivery of 
     weapons or weapons-related technologies'' and inserting 
     ``sale or delivery or provision of weapons or weapons-related 
     technologies or weapons-related training'';
       (3) in paragraph (2), by striking ``involved in the sale'' 
     and inserting ``or weapons-related training involved in the 
     sale or delivery or provision'';
       (4) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or weapons-related 
     training described in paragraph (1)'' before the period at 
     the end; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(5) The cooperation of the Government of Belarus with any 
     foreign government or organization for purposes related to 
     the censorship or surveillance of the Internet, or the 
     purchase or receipt by the Government of Belarus of any 
     technology or training from any foreign government or 
     organization for purposes related to the censorship or 
     surveillance of the Internet.''.

     SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

       Section 9 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 
     109-480; 22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Committee on 
     International Relations'' and inserting ``Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``and prosecutors'' 
     and inserting ``, prosecutors, and heads of professional 
     associations and educational institutions''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``Lukashenka regime'' 
     and inserting ``Government of Belarus''.

     SEC. 7. FUNDING FOR REPORT.

        The requirement to prepare and transmit the report 
     required under section 8 of the

[[Page H4634]]

     Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Public Law 109-480; 22 U.S.C. 
     5811 note), as amended by section 5 of this Act, shall be 
     performed within current levels of authorized and 
     appropriated funding.

  The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Ros-Lehtinen) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) each will 
control 20 minutes.


                             General Leave

  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days to 
revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 
515.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I would like to thank Chairman Smith and Chairman Bachus for their 
cooperation in allowing this bill to proceed so swiftly to the floor.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 515, the 
Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011.
  I would like to thank my distinguished colleague and friend, Mr. 
Smith, for introducing this timely and important measure.
  Belarus has been correctly deemed the last dictatorship of Europe. 
Under the iron hand of Lukashenko, the Belarusian people have endured 
the systemic denial and violation of their basic freedoms and human 
rights.
  The authorities in Belarus have severely restricted free speech and 
independent media. Prodemocracy political activists are subject to 
beatings and imprisonment. The regime's heavy-handed tactics were fully 
utilized in last December's fraudulent election for president.
  According to our own Department of State's Human Rights Report: 
``Authorities denied citizens the right to change their government, 
manipulating the December 19 presidential election to ensure that the 
president would not be seriously challenged.
  ``Security forces beat detainees and protesters, used excessive force 
to disperse peaceful demonstrators, and reportedly used torture during 
investigations.
  ``A crackdown on post-election demonstrations led to the arrest of 
over 700 activists, including criminal charges against five 
presidential candidates and numerous activists and journalists.''
  Unfortunately, the regime, despite its repeated promises of reform, 
continues this campaign of repression against its own people.
  In response to the rumors that peaceful protesters were planning to 
gather on Belarusian Independence Day, July 3, just recently, to show 
their opposition to the regime by clapping their hands, the dictator 
stated, ``Stomping, clapping, bellowing and roaring on squares and 
streets cannot solve problems. The state has the resources and power to 
pacify those who violate the law and the constitution.''
  We have now seen Lukashenko did indeed use the state's power to 
pacify the demonstrators. How? He ordered the authorities to start by 
firing tear gas at the protesters, followed by the violent beating and 
imprisonment of those who dared to clap their hands. Over 300 activist 
were arrested and today 140 were convicted on such dubious charges as 
being hooligans or participating in unsanctioned demonstrations.
  This unrelenting persecution of the Belarusian people by the regime 
is simply unacceptable. The U.S. and other responsible nations must 
support the prodemocracy forces in Belarus and hold the authoritarian 
regime in Minsk accountable for its growing abuses.
  That's why I am pleased to support this important measure which, 
among other things, condemns the conduct of the recent presidential 
elections and the crackdown on opposition candidates and activists, 
expresses a sense of Congress that the President should continue to 
support radio, television and Internet broadcasting to the people of 
Belarus and expand on existing sanctions, including the denial of visas 
to any member of the Belarusian Government who participated in the 
crackdown on opposition leaders, journalists, and peaceful protesters 
that occurred in connection with the December elections.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                   Committee on the Judiciary,

                                      Washington, DC, May 5, 2011.
     Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
     Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Ros-Lehtinen: I am writing in response to 
     your letter concerning H.R. 515, the ``Belarus Democracy 
     Reauthorization Act of 2011,'' which the Committee on Foreign 
     Affairs reported favorably. As a result of your having 
     consulted with us on provisions in H.R. 515 that fall within 
     the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, we 
     are able to agree to discharging our Committee from further 
     consideration of this bill in order that it may proceed 
     expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
       The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual 
     understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 515 at 
     this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject 
     matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our 
     Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the 
     bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may 
     address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our 
     Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation, and 
     requests your support for any such request.
       I appreciate your including our exchange of letters on this 
     matter in your committee report, or in the Congressional 
     Record during floor consideration of H.R. 515.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Lamar Smith,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                         House of Representatives,


                              Committee on Financial Services,

                                      Washington, DC, May 5, 2011.
     Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Ros-Lehtinen: On April 14, 2011, the 
     Committee on Foreign Affairs reported H.R. 515, the Belarus 
     Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2011, by a unanimous 
     recorded vote of 34 to 0. As you know, the Committee on 
     Financial Services was granted an additional referral upon 
     the bill's introduction pursuant to the Committee's 
     jurisdiction under rule X of the Rules of the House of 
     Representatives over international financial and monetary 
     organizations, banks and banking.
       Upon review of H.R. 515, it is clear that the legislation 
     will not alter the current statutory directives pertaining to 
     the votes of the U.S. Executive Directors at the Multilateral 
     Development Banks. Since no policy change is being made with 
     respect to the narrow matter within the jurisdiction of the 
     Financial Services Committee, I will waive consideration of 
     the bill by the Financial Services Committee so that it may 
     be considered expeditiously by the House. By agreeing to 
     waive its consideration of the bill, the Financial Services 
     Committee does not waive its jurisdiction over H.R. 515. In 
     addition, I do so with the understanding that this will not 
     prejudice the Committee on Financial Services with respect to 
     its prerogatives on this or similar legislation. Further, the 
     Committee on Financial Services reserves its authority to 
     seek conferees on any provisions of the bill that are within 
     its jurisdiction during any House-Senate conference that may 
     be convened on this legislation. I ask your commitment to 
     support any request by the Committee on Financial Services 
     for conferees on H.R. 515 or related legislation.
       Lastly, I request that you include this letter and your 
     response as part of your committee's report on the bill and 
     insert them in the Congressional Record during consideration 
     of the legislation on the House floor.
       Thank you for your attention to these matters.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Spencer Bachus,
                                                         Chairman.

  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  I ask unanimous consent that the chairman of the Foreign Affairs 
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, the gentleman 
from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), be allowed to manage the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from New 
Jersey will control the balance of the time.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I will be the only speaker to speak from 
our side on this resolution, and I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation. On December 19 
of last year, Belarus' President, Alexander Lukashenko, staged a 
fraudulent election. Immediately afterward, he had the opposition 
candidates arrested, and this May almost all of them were sentenced to 
prison.
  The Lukashenko regime has continued to harass members of opposition 
political parties, human rights activists, civil society and to 
suppress Belarusians' access to free press and information. Over the 
past month, an increasing number of Belarusians have gathered to 
protest against Lukashenko and the deteriorating economic situation 
there.
  The Obama administration has reacted strongly to the fraudulent 
elections and post-election crack down. On February 2, the U.S. 
significantly expanded the list of Belarusian officials subject to 
travel sanctions and to have their assets blocked and restored full

[[Page H4635]]

U.S. sanctions against Belarus's largest state-owned oil and gas 
concern.
  On July 2, Secretary Clinton met with activists from Belarus during 
her visit to Lithuania for a meeting of the Community of Democracies 
and repeated her demand that Belarus release political prisoners and 
embark on the path of democratic reform. In coordination with the 
European Union, the administration has significantly expanded democracy 
assistance to Belarus for this year from $11 million to $15 million.
  We must continue to call for the reopening of the OSCE office in 
Minsk and for the Government of Belarus to fully cooperate with an OSCE 
fact-finding mission requested by 14 participating states under the 
Moscow mechanism.
  And we must continue to demand the release of many heroic individuals 
still languishing in Belarusian prisons without access to their 
families or legal counsel. Europe's last dictatorship should not be 
allowed to stand unchallenged.
  I support this legislation and encourage my colleagues to do the 
same.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  First of all, let me thank Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for her 
leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today, the majority 
leader and the Speaker for scheduling it, and to Howard Berman for his 
strong support of it as well and his very eloquent statement just a 
moment ago.

                              {time}  1830

  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 515, the Belarus 
Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011. The bill demonstrates our 
strong and sustained promotion of human rights, democracy, and the rule 
of law in Belarus through targeted sanctions against this brutal 
dictatorship of Alexander Lukashenko.
  H.R. 515 reinforces earlier law, the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 
and the Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2006, both of which 
passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and 
were signed into law.
  This legislation is timely and necessary. The fraudulent December 19 
elections in 2010 in Belarus and the ongoing crackdown on democracy 
activists and independent journalists by the Lukashenko dictatorship 
underscore the need for democracy-promoting legislation. Immediately 
after the election, the government responded to peaceful protests 
against electoral fraud with savage mass beatings and large-scale 
detentions--over 700 people.
  Later on, Madam Speaker, I will put in the Record the list of many of 
the activists, many of whom were already in jail, their sentences--and 
these are men and women whose only crime was asking that Belarus 
matriculate from dictatorship to a democracy.
  Of those charged, 40 have been convicted, with some receiving very 
harsh sentences--up to 6 years. And, of course, after those 6 years are 
over, what Lukashenko and his cronies usually do is find some reason to 
extend those jail sentences. So these sentences are awful indeed.
  As Ileana Ros-Lehtinen pointed out a moment ago, the chairwoman of 
our committee, this also includes five of the nine Presidential 
candidates who ran against Lukashenko, their families, lawyers, 
journalists, and democratic activists who continue to be harassed and 
intimidated. It is the worst political crackdown in Europe in over a 
decade. And it's ongoing, Madam Speaker.
  The repressive regime in Belarus was in full force earlier this week 
as police broke up protesters attempting to mark their country's 
independence day. Hundreds were detained, and 140 already received 
administrative sentences or fines, including independent journalists 
reporting on rallies held across the country.
  The post-election has followed the pattern of repression that has 
characterized Lukashenko's 17-year rule. Through a series of rigged 
elections, large-scale intimidation and suppression of independent 
media and civil society, the dictator has long since consolidated his 
control over virtually all national institutions. This dictatorship, as 
has been said, is the worst of any in Europe today.
  Perhaps most significantly about the legislation, the bill supports 
targeted sanctions. It expresses the sense of the Congress to deny the 
privilege of visiting our country to senior Belarus officials, their 
immediate families and others involved in human rights violations and 
anti-democracy actions, including those involved in the December 19 
post-election crackdown. Likewise, it has provisions prohibiting U.S. 
Government financing, except for humanitarian goods and agricultural 
products or medical products and nonhumanitarian loans from 
international financial institutions to the Belarusan Government; and 
blocking assets owned by the Belarusan Government's senior leadership 
or their families and others involved in antidemocratic actions. These 
sanctions are aimed at the senior leadership of a dictatorship that 
displays utter contempt for the dignity and rights of the Belarusan 
people, and with these sanctions we stand with the Belarusan people 
against their oppressors.
  H.R. 515 requires the State Department to issue a new report to 
Congress on the sale, delivery or provision of weapons or weapons-
related technologies or training, Lukashenka's personal wealth and 
assets, and cooperation by the Belarusian government with any foreign 
government or organizations related to censorship or surveillance of 
the Internet.
  H.R. 515 states a U.S. government policy of strong support for the 
Belarusian people in their struggle against the Lukashenka 
dictatorship, aspiring to live in a free and independent country where 
their human rights are respected, they can choose their government, and 
officials apply just laws that they themselves are subject to.
  This bill encourages those struggling for decency and basic rights 
against the overwhelming pressures from the anti-democratic regime. It 
calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political 
prisoners in Belarus, including those detained in the post-election 
crackdown and refuses to recognize the results of the flawed elections. 
It calls for a full accounting of the 1999-2000 disappearances of 
opposition leaders and a journalist in Belarus and the prosecution of 
those responsible. At the same time it explicitly opens the door to the 
re-evaluation of U.S. policy towards the Belarusan government should it 
take significant steps toward democracy and respect for human rights.
  H.R. 515 supports radio, television and Internet broadcasting to 
Belarus, specifically Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Voice of 
America, European Radio for Belarus and the satellite television 
station Belsat.
  Madam Speaker, this bill comes to the floor as the Belarusan people 
are increasingly taking to the streets in protest against the 
dictatorship, and the EU Council is ramping up sanctions on Belarus. 
The Belarusan people deserve far better than the Lukashenka 
dictatorship--this bill is an act of support of their heroic struggle 
for human rights and democracy and is an act of profound respect and 
friendship for the people of Belarus.
  Madam Speaker, I'd like to add to my earlier remarks in support of 
this legislation that, as part of a Helsinki Commission visit in to 
Minsk in June 2009, I had the opportunity to press Lukashenka directly 
on his dismal human rights record and denial of democratic freedoms.
  While making clear our support for Belarus' independence, I and other 
members of the delegation reiterated the long-standing U.S. message 
that the only way to improve relations between our two countries was 
and is for him to take steps to increase political freedom and respect 
human rights. We told Lukashenka that the ball was in his court. There 
were even small, tentative steps in the right direction, but since 
December 19 any hopes for change have been crushed.
  The December 19, 2010 fraudulent election, which the OSCE condemned 
as not having met international standards, and the continuing crackdown 
on democracy activists and independent journalists by the Lukashenka 
regime underscore the need for this legislation and our continued 
attention to the further deterioration of human rights and freedoms in 
Europe's remaining dictatorship. This ongoing repression is the 
harshest we have seen in Europe in more than a decade and a stark 
illustration that Belarus remains an anomaly--a pariah state--in 
today's Europe.
  Peaceful protests against electoral fraud were met with mass beatings 
and detentions. Some of the jailed were abused and even tortured. Their 
families, lawyers, journalists and democratic activists have been 
harassed and intimidated. Students have been expelled from 
universities. Belarus now has more political prisoners than at any time 
under Lukashenka's rule, as the Belarusan tyrant has squelched dissent 
by convicting nearly 40 activists within the last few months on charges 
of mass rioting and disturbing the public order.

[[Page H4636]]

Some, including several opposition leaders who ran against Lukashenka 
in December and other political activists and civil society leaders, 
received severe, completely unjustified prison sentences of up to six 
years. Their trials were a politically motivated farce, in which 
policemen sometimes were not even able to identify the defendants, and 
which saw unexplained discrepancies between witness testimony favoring 
the defendants, and the judges return of guilty verdicts.
  The now-6-month-long crackdown only magnifies the pattern of 
repression and gross and systematic human rights violations that has 
characterized Lukashenka's 17-year rule. He has systematically 
consolidated power over virtually all institutions through a series of 
rigged presidential and parliamentary elections, repeated violations of 
fundamental freedoms and the suppression of independent media and civil 
society, creating a climate of fear that pervades the country.
  Thanks to this dictator's misrule, Belarus has the worst democracy 
and human rights record in Europe. Furthermore, Belarus's Soviet-style, 
structurally unreformed state-dominated economy is facing its worst 
crisis since Lukashenka came to power. Russian cut offs of energy 
subsidies and the explosion of the country's budget deficit following 
heavy state spending ahead of December's presidential elections in a 
populist bid to increase Lukashenka's waning popularity have 
contributed. Since then, Belarus has witnessed devaluation of its 
currency, a jump in inflation and increase in unemployment, and, in 
recent weeks, growing public protests.

  Notwithstanding the almost universal condemnation and punitive 
measures by the U.S. and EU, Alexander Lukashenka continues to turn a 
deaf ear to the international community, and, more importantly, to the 
Belarusan people. The Belarusan autocrat has clearly manifested his 
profound mistrust of--and contempt for--the long-suffering Belarusan 
people at whose expense he has enriched himself for the past 17 years.
  Clearly, the need for a sustained U.S. commitment to foster democracy 
and respect for human rights, and sanction Lukashenka and his cronies 
remains. I want to stress that both the Bush and Obama administrations 
have made good use of the previous Belarus Democracy Acts, of 2004 and 
2006, reinforcing to the Belarusan goverment that the elected 
representatives of the American people--by overwhelming bipartisan 
majorities--support the policy of condemning and sanctioning the 
Belarusan government for its brutal human rights violations.
  The visa bans and targeted financial and economic sanctions 
instituted by President Bush in response to the earlier legislation 
have been maintained, and in some ways expanded by President Obama 
since December 19th. Most recently, on May 27 President Obama issued a 
statement in which he condemned the conviction and sentencing of five 
opposition candidates, asserting that the United States considers these 
candidates, along with the other courageous activists arrested and 
charged in the crackdown, as political prisoners. The President also 
pledged to pursue new sanctions against select Belarusian state-owned 
enterprises, which H.R. 515 strongly encourages.
  Unfortunately, two decades after the demise of the Soviet Union, 
Belarus remains in a time warp--unreconstructed politically and 
economically and isolated from its European roots, due to one man's 
dictatorial rule. His tactics are a chilling reminder of a darker time, 
more than two decades ago when the Soviet KGB hounded dissidents. It is 
a tragedy for the Belarusian people--who have suffered so much over the 
course of the last century--that Lukashenka is yet again choosing the 
path of self-isolation and squelching the desire for freedom. He is, 
yet again, making a mockery of Belarus' freely undertaken OSCE 
obligations.
  The Belarusan people wish to live in a country where human rights are 
respected, democracy flourishes and the rule of law is the norm. I 
remain convinced that the time will soon come when Belarus will be 
integrated with the family of democratic nations. We must continue to 
resolutely stand at their side as they struggle to lift themselves from 
the yoke of this oppressive regime.

Belarus--Candidates or Activists under Criminal Charges Related to the 
               December 19-20 Post-Election Demonstration

       Persons charged with organizing and participating in mass 
     disturbances (article 293 para 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code, 
     penalties of up to 15 years in jail)
       Detainees, In detention, Trial date, Conviction and charge:
       1. Andrey Sannikau, European Belarus coalition coordinator, 
     Charter97, presidential candidate, Yes, April 27-May 14, Five 
     years in a high security jail; organization of mass 
     disturbances.
       2. Mikalay Statkevich, Narodnaya Hramada Social Democratic 
     party leader, presidential candidate, Yes, May 11-18, May 26, 
     Six years in a high security jail; organization of mass 
     disturbances.
       3. Ales Mikhalevich, For Modernization NGO, presidential 
     candidate, No (abroad).
       4. Dzmitry Us, presidential candidate, Yes, May 11-18, May 
     26, Five years and six months in a high security jail; 
     organization of mass disturbances.
       5. Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, Sannikau's spokesperson, Yes; 
     appeal denied April 5, March 01-02, Four years in a high 
     security jail; participation in mass disturbances.
       6. Natallya Radzina, Charter97 editor, No (abroad).
       7. Anatol Lyabedzka, United Civic Party chair, No.
       8. Alyaksandr Klaskouski, former police officer, Yes, May 
     11-18, May 26, Five years in a high security jail; 
     participation in mass disturbances, insult of an official, 
     unauthorized assumption of rank or powers of an official.
       9. Uladzimir Kobets, Sannikau's campaign team leader, No.
       10. Alyaksandr Arastovich, Statkevich's aid, No.
       11. Anatol Paulau, Ramanchuk's aid, No.
       12. Aleh Korban, Ramanchuk's aid, No.
       13. Ivan Haponau, a Russian citizen, No, February 22, March 
     10, 10,500,000-ruble fine ($3,450); participation in mass 
     disturbances.
       14. Artsyom Breus, a Russian citizen, No, February 22, 
     March 10, 10,500,000-ruble fine ($3,450); participation in 
     mass disturbances.
       15. Mikita Likhavid, For Freedom movement activist, Yes, 
     March 22-23, March 29, Three years and six months in a high 
     security jail; participation in mass disturbances.
       16. Dzmitry Novik, BPF member, Yes; appeal denied April 5, 
     March 01-02, Three years and six months in a high security 
     jail; participation in mass disturbances.
       17. Aleh Fedarkevich, a demonstration participant, Yes, May 
     5-12, Three years and six months in jail; participation in 
     mass disturbances.
       18. Uladzimir Khamichenka, a demonstration participant, 
     Yes, April 27-May 5, Three years in a high security jail; 
     participation in mass disturbances.
       19. Dzmitry Myadzvedz, a demonstration participant, No, 
     March 01, March 10, Partial house arrest that requires 
     regular reporting to police and restricts travel without 
     prior permission from authorities; participation in mass 
     disturbances.
       20. Uladzimir Loban, a demonstration participant, Yes, May 
     5-12, Three years in jail; participation in mass 
     disturbances.
       21. Paval Vinahradau, ``Tell the truth'' activist, Yes, 
     April 27-May 05, Four years in a high security jail; 
     participation in mass disturbances.
       22. Andrey Paznyak, a demonstration participant, No, May 
     11-18, May 26, Three years of partial house arrest; 
     participation in mass disturbances.
       23. Alyaksandr Malchanau, a demonstration participant. Yes; 
     appeal denied April 5, March 01-02, Three years in a high 
     security jail; participation in mass disturbances and 
     desecration of state symbols.
       24. Illya Vasilevich, a youth activist, Yes, April 27-May 
     14, Three years in a high security jail; participation in 
     mass disturbances.
       25. Dzmitry Bulanau, a demonstration participant, Yes, May 
     11-18, May 26, Three years in a high security jail; 
     participation in mass disturbances.
       26. Alyaksandr Kvyatkevich, a demonstration participant, 
     Yes, May 11-18, May 26, Three years and six months in a high 
     security jail; participation in mass disturbances.
       27. Vasil Parfyankou, ``Tell the Truth'' activist, Yes; 
     appeal denied March 25, February 17, Four years in a high 
     security jail; participation in mass disturbances.
       28. Artsyom Hrybkou, a demonstration participant, Yes, May 
     11-18, May 26, Four years in a high security jail; 
     participation in mass disturbances.
       29. Fyodar Mirzayanau, a demonstration participant, Yes, 
     April 27-May 14, Three years in a high security jail; 
     participation in mass disturbances.
       30. Ales Kirkevich, Malady Front activist, Yes, April 27-
     May 5, Four years in a high security jail; participation in 
     mass disturbances.
       31. Dzmitry Drozd, Sannikau's campaign team member, Yes, 
     April 27-May 5, Three years in a high security jail; 
     participation in mass disturbances.
       32. Syarhey Kazakou, European Belarus activist, Yes, May 5-
     12, Three years in jail; participation in mass disturbances.
       33. Uladzimir Yaromenka, Malady Front activist, Yes, April 
     27-May 14, Three years in a high security jail; participation 
     in mass disturbances.
       34. Dzmitry Daronin, a demonstration participant, Yes, May 
     5-12, Three years and six months in jail; participation in 
     mass disturbances.
       35. Andrey Pratasenya, Ramanchuk's campaign team volunteer, 
     Yes, April 27-May 5, Three years in a high security jail; 
     participation in mass disturbances.
       36. Aleh Hnedchyk, Nyaklyaeu's campaign activist, Yes, 
     April 27-May 14, Three years and six months in a high 
     security jail; participation in mass disturbances.
       37. Vital Matsukevich, a demonstration participant, Yes, 
     May 5-12, Three years in a high security jail; participation 
     in mass disturbances.
       38. Yauhen Sakret, Sannikau's campaign activist, Yes, May 
     5-12, Three years in jail; participation in mass 
     disturbances.
       Persons charged with organizing, arranging, and actively 
     participating in activities that severely violate public 
     order (article 342 para 1 of the Criminal Code, penalties up 
     to three years in jail)

[[Page H4637]]

       1. Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, ``Tell the Truth'' campaign leader, 
     presidential candidate, No, May 5-20, Two years suspended 
     sentence.
       2. Vital Rymasheuski, Belarusian Christian Democracy co-
     chair, presidential candidate, No, May 5-20, Two years 
     suspended sentence.
       3. Alyaksandr Fyaduta, Nyaklyaeu's aid, No, May 5-20, Two 
     years suspended sentence.
       4. Andrey Dzmitryeu, Nyaklyaeu's campaign team leader, No, 
     May 5-20, Two years suspended sentence.
       5. Syarhey Vaznyak, Nyaklyaeu's aid, No, May 5-20, Two 
     years suspended sentence.
       6. Nasta Palazhanka, Malady Front deputy chair, No, May 5-
     20, One year suspended sentence.
       7. Paval Sevyarynets, Belarusian Christian Democracy co-
     chair, Rymasheuski's aid, No, May 11-16, Three years of 
     ``khimiya,'' a form of internal exile.
       8. Zmitser Bandarenka, European Belarus coalition 
     coordinator, Charter97, Yes, April 26-27, Two years in jail.
       9. Syarhey Martsaleu, Statkevich's aid, No, May 11-16, Two 
     years suspended sentence.
       10. Iryna Khalip, independent journalist, Sannikau's wife, 
     No, May 11-16, Two years suspended sentence.
       Persons suspected of organizing and participating in mass 
     riots (article 293 para 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code, 
     penalties of up to 15 years in jail)
       1. Ryhor Kastuseu, BPF deputy, presidential candidate, No.
       2. Anton Davydzenka, a demonstration participant, No.
       3. Usevalad Kavalenka, a demonstration participant, No.
       4. Syarhey Klyueu, ``Tell the truth'' activist, No.
       5. Mikita Krasnou, a youth activist, No (abroad).
       6. Dzmitry Apishau, a demonstration participant, No.
       7. Leanid Navitski, Sannikau's aid, No (abroad).
       8. Andrey Mikalayeu, a demonstration participant, No.
       9. Alyaksandr Vasileuski, a demonstration participant, No.
       10. Dzyanis Shydlouski, a demonstration participant, No.
       11. Alyaksey Sharstou, a demonstration participant, No.
       12. Dzmitry Huseltsau, a demonstration participant, No.
       13. Vital Stazharau, a demonstration participant, No 
     (abroad).
       Persons convicted of severe hooliganism committed by a 
     group of individuals inflicting bodily harm (article 339 para 
     2 and 3, penalties of up to ten years in jail); detained 
     December 18
       1. Zmitser Dashkevich, Malady Front leader, Yes, March 22-
     24, Two years in jail; severe hooliganism (para 2).
       2. Eduard Lobau, Malady Front activist, Yes, March 22-24, 
     Four years in a high security jail; severe hooliganism (para 
     3 involving armaments).
       Students Expelled after December 19 (for political 
     reasons).
       Belarusian Committee for defense of the repressed 
     ``Salidarnasc'' reports ten expelled students:
       1. Yauheni Bely, Belarusian State University.
       2. Uladzimir Syarheyeu, Belarusian State University.
       3. Alyaksandr Lukashou, Belarusian State University.
       4. Katsyaryna Davydzik, Belarusian State University.
       5. Katsyaryna Klimko, Institute of Journalism, Belarusian 
     State University.
       6. Aleh Anufyenka, Institute of Journalism, Belarusian 
     State University.
       7. Viktorya Petrakouskaya, Maxim Tank Belarusian State 
     Pedagogical University.
       8. Viktoryia Kruchkova, Maxim Tank Belarusian State 
     Pedagogical University.
       9. Tatsiana Hrybouskaya, Maxim Tank Belarusian State 
     Pedagogical University.
       10. Andrey Luhin, Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical 
     University.
       11. Artsyom Khvastsyuk, Belarusian State University of 
     Informatics and Radioelectronics.
       12. Uladzimir Yaromenak * Belarusian State University of 
     Informatics and Radioelectronics.
       13. Illya Zhakhavets, Belarusian Institute of Law.
       14. Yauhen Tsarykau, Minsk State High Radiotechnical 
     College.
       15. Illyia Vasilevich * Minsk State Polytechnic College.
       16. Boris Zakharchuk, Hrodna State University named after 
     Kupala.
       17. Yauhen Busko, Hrodna State University named after 
     Kupala.
       18. Arseni Asmanau, Homyel State University named after 
     Skaryna.
       19. Mikita Likhavid * Minsk Institute of Entrepreneurship.
       20. Fyodar Mirzayanau * Belarusian State Economic 
     University.
       * Tried and Sentenced to terms in prison
       Other sources report (unconfirmed):
       1. Ales Krot (Member of Studentskaya Rada [independent 
     Student Council], Belarusian National Technical University.
       2. Anna Baraban, Belarusian State University.
       3. Alina Litvinchuk, Brest State University.
       4. Syarhey Sadouski, Belarusian State University of 
     Informatics and Radioelectronics.
       According to ``Salidarnasc'', one student was expelled 
     before December 19 (for political reasons).
       1. Mikhail Mikulich Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical 
     University.
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 515, the 
``Belarus Democracy Reauthorization of 2011.'' In recent years the 
Belarusian government, lead by Alexander Lukashenko, has engaged in 
atrocious human rights violations against opposition leaders and 
journalists. I believe that it is time that the United States call for 
an end of these practices and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of 
H.R. 515.
  Seven years ago the ``Belarus Democracy Act of 2004'' was passed into 
law as a measure to help promote the values of democracy, human rights, 
and to end the violations of fundamental freedoms in the Republic of 
Belarus. Since this time, the Belarusian dictator, Alexander 
Lukashenko, has continued to harass and persecute pro-democracy 
political dissenters and regularly engages in human rights violations 
against his people. The ``Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 
2011'' calls for Lukashenko to cease all persecution and urges the 
Belarusian government to work to promote the conditions required for 
integration of Belarus into the European family of democracies.
  This legislation carries a larger significance as it is coming to a 
vote on the eve of a poignant time in Belarus's involvement within the 
global community. The International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) 2014 
World Ice Hockey Championship has recently been awarded to Belarus and 
will be hosted in Minsk resulting in fanfare and praise. It is my 
belief that the IIHF should suspend this great honor until the iron 
grip of Lukashenko's police state is lifted and all political prisoners 
are released. The United States Senate unanimously, passed a resolution 
in April of 2011 expressing the dire need for a moratorium on the 2014 
World Ice Hockey Championships in Belarus until justice has been 
brought to Lukashenko's victims.
  It is with sincere urgency that I ask my colleagues to support the 
passage of H.R. 515, ``Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2011.'' 
We must continue the strong tradition of promoting democratic values 
around the world and let Alexander Lukashenko know that his behavior 
will not be condoned or tolerated by the United States of America.
  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the ``Belarus 
Democracy Act'' reauthorization. This title of this bill would have 
amused George Orwell, as it is in fact a U.S. regime-change bill. Where 
does the United States Congress derive the moral or legal authority to 
determine which political parties or organizations in Belarus--or 
anywhere else--are to be U.S.-funded and which are to be destabilized? 
How can anyone argue that U.S. support for regime-change in Belarus is 
somehow ``promoting democracy''? We pick the parties who are to be 
supported and funded and somehow this is supposed to reflect the will 
of the Belarusian people? How would Americans feel if the tables were 
turned and a powerful foreign country demanded that only a political 
party it selected and funded could legitimately reflect the will of the 
American people?
  I would like to know how many millions of taxpayer dollars the U.S. 
government has wasted trying to overthrow the government in Belarus. I 
would like to know how much money has been squandered by U.S. 
government-funded front-organizations like the National Endowment for 
Democracy, the International Republic Institute, Freedom House, and 
others meddling like the old Soviet Union in the internal politics of a 
country that has neither threatened nor attacked the United States. It 
is the arrogance of our foreign policy and we call it ``democracy.'' We 
wonder why we are no longer loved and admired overseas.
  Finally, I strongly object to the sanctions that this legislation 
imposes on Belarus. We must keep in mind that sanctions and blockades 
of foreign countries are considered acts of war. Do we need to continue 
war-like actions yet another country? Can we afford it.
  I wish to emphasize that I take this position not because I am in 
support of the regime in Belarus, or anywhere else. I take this 
position because it is dangerous folly to be the Nation that arrogates 
to itself the right to determine the leadership of the rest of the 
world. As we teeter closer to bankruptcy, it should be more obvious 
that we need to change our foreign policy to one of constructive 
engagement rather than hostile interventionism. And though it scarcely 
should need to be said, I must remind my colleagues today that we are 
the U.S. House of Representatives, and not some sort of world congress. 
We have no constitutional authority to intervene in the wholly domestic 
affairs of Belarus or any other sovereign nation.
  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 515, as amended.

[[Page H4638]]

  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________