Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's representative for international affairs Valery Kavaleuski explains what the Democracy Act means for Belarus and what steps Tsikhanouskaya's Office plans to take in connection with the passed Act.
Why is it important?
Both the House and the Senate of the US Congress voted to pass the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act. It is expected to be signed by the US President in the coming days.
The act is passed for the fourth time (2004, 2006, 2011) and demonstrates the consistent support of the United States for an independent, sovereign, democratic Belarus. But the title for the first time emphasizes the US attention to the problem of preserving the sovereignty of Belarus. A prominent feature of the law is the short period of its adoption (less than three months after its introduction), in particular, due to the unity of the Republicans and Democrats in assessing the situation and approaches to Belarus.
Even before introducing the bill, the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya called for its adoption as an effective measure of influence on the Lukashenka regime, which is afraid of American sanctions and seeks to split the consolidated position of the international community regarding dictatorial practices in Belarus.
The office has continuously worked to promote the bill among US legislators and the US executive branch. The office also thanks all Belarusians who helped spread information about the Act and promoted it for discussion in Congress.
What is this law about?
The law describes how persistently, widely and more systematically the Lukashenka regime violates human rights and democratic principles in Belarus. The peaceful protest and the unjustified violent reaction of the regime are described in detail. The document includes a call to stop the violence, hold new elections and recognize the Coordination Council created by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya as the legitimate representative of the Belarusian people.
The law sets three goals: (1) to support the Belarusian people, (2) to bring influence to bear on the regime and those involved in mass repressions, (3) to coordinate policy on Belarus with other countries. To achieve these goals, the law provides, among other things, the following measures:
1. Supporting the rights and freedoms of Belarusians, their demands to hold new elections, assisting the repressed, expanding access of Belarusians to independent information, enhancing the development of the private sector, and supporting the public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Refuse to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimately elected leader of Belarus, personal and economic sanctions, gathering of evidence of human rights violations, blocking programs of international financial institutions, report on Lukashenka's estimated assets and known sources of income.
3. Coordination of US policy with the EU, Great Britain, Canada, other countries and international organizations to further the purposes of the Act and deter the Government of Russia from undermining democratic processes and institutions in Belarus or threatening the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Belarus.
The law provides for the preparation of special reports by the US government.
- Personal assets of Lukashenka and senior foreign political figures closed to him.
- A detailed description of the interests, goals and objectives of the Government of Russia in Belarus and the instruments to achieve them, including economic, political, military, informational, cultural, energy levers.
- Programs and areas of assistance in the United States in accordance with the law and their effectiveness.
What's next?
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya's office will continue to work directly with the Federal Government so that all three objectives of the Belarus Democracy Act – support for Belarusians, pressure on the regime, a coordinated policy on Belarus – are fully implemented and have an effect in the near future. During her upcoming visit to the United States, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya will give priority to this mission. Meetings are planned in the Congress, with the members of executive branches, the American expert community, business representatives interested in investing in the new Belarus.
