[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             BELARUS DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 515, the 
Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2011, which will support human 
rights in Belarus by encouraging the free expression of ideas among 
pro-democracy activists.
  I would like to commend Mr. Smith, the gentleman from New Jersey, for 
sponsoring this legislation and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the 
House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen and Mr. Berman, 
for their efforts in bringing this legislation to the floor.
  Madam Speaker, Belarusians have the same right to self-government and 
free speech as their neighbors and through the reauthorization of 
assistance to their civil society, H.R. 515 will help them regain 
rights which have been repressed by the ruling regime.
  Since he was elected as his country's first president in 1994, 
Aleksandr Lukashenko has steadily consolidated his power, reversing 
promising reforms put in place following the dissolution of the Soviet 
Union. The CIA World Factbook describes Belarus as ``a republic in 
name, although in fact a dictatorship.'' Former Secretary of State 
Condolezza Rice called it ``the last true remaining dictatorship in the 
heart of Europe.''
  Belarus has been criticized for its dismal human rights record by the 
U.N. Security Council, the U.S. State Department, the Organization of 
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the OSCE Parliamentary 
Assembly, the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the 
Council of Europe, the European Council, the European Parliament, the 
European Commission, and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
  As a result of its human rights violations and a steady record of 
state-sponsored political repression, Belarus is subject to numerous 
sanctions from both the United States and the European Union. In 2004, 
Congress unanimously passed the Belarus Democracy Act, which authorizes 
assistance for political parties, non-governmental organizations, and 
independent media toward democratic and humanitarian reforms.
  This legislation affirms that it remains in the interest of our 
country that Belarus returns to its rightful place among its fellow 
European democracies. Unfortunately, recent events validate its current 
designation as a rogue state. The White House released the following 
statement regarding its last Presidential election which saw widespread 
violence and voting irregularities:

       The flawed December 2010 Presidential election in Belarus 
     and its aftermath--the harsh violence against peaceful 
     demonstrators; the continuing detention, prosecution, and 
     imprisonment of opposition Presidential candidates and 
     others; and the continuing repression of independent media 
     and civil society activists--all show that the Government of 
     Belams has taken steps backward in the development of 
     democratic governance and respect for human rights.

  Madam Speaker, the focus of H.R. 515 is on the Government of Belarus, 
not its people.
  Many of my constituents and their families came to this country 
fleeing repression from totalitarian regimes. Hearing their stories, I 
am constantly reminded that a government which respects human rights, 
free speech, independent courts, and transparent elections is essential 
to personal liberty. As we pursue sanctions against the government of 
Belarus, we must provide support to the pro-democracy movement.
  With H.R. 515, we will send a message that governing through fear, 
censorship, and the threat of violence has no place in a legitimate 
republic. As we mark the 235th birthday of the United States and the 
rights we enjoy, let us encourage those who wish to apply our 
principles to their own governments.
  With this legislation, we support the political activists, the 
independent journalists, and the civil society leaders who risk so much 
for the good of Belarus.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 515.

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