Details of first day of Belarus–USA Strategic Dialogue

The Strategic Dialogue between the US government and democratic forces in Belarus continues in Washington. The dialogue was launched by the US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

On the first day of the Strategic Dialogue, three main topics were discussed: strengthening the independence and sovereignty of Belarus, supporting the repressed and achieving the release of political prisoners, as well as holding the regime’s henchmen accountable through sanctions.

On the first day, the Strategic Dialogue discussed:

1. Appointing a special envoy for Belarus.
2. Establishing a working group on the release of political prisoners and creating a fund to support the repressed.
3. Non-recognition of the regime’s “election” scheduled for 2024 and support for the Coordination Council election.
4. Supporting the European perspective for Belarus.
5. Strengthening and recognizing the organizations of Belarus’ democratic forces.
6. Synchronizing sanctions, closing loopholes, and seizing the regime’s properties abroad.
7. Imposing individual sanctions against judges, prosecutors, propagandists, and other accomplices of the regime.
8. Extending the mandates for UN Special Rapporteurs on Belarus.
9. Providing training, internships, and scholarships for the new Belarus talent pipeline.
10. Implementing programs for legal and psychological assistance, rehabilitating former political prisoners.
11. Supporting democratic forces in preparing the reforms for new Belarus.
12. Developing an economic recovery plan for Belarus after the war and democratic transition.
13. Initiating cases against the regime’s accomplices under universal jurisdiction, as well as in international courts. Collecting evidence of crimes.
14. Publishing information about the regime’s assets abroad, arresting properties and assets of the regime’s henchmen.
15. Organizing an international conference on accountability for the regime and transitional justice.
16. Supporting Belarusians in the USA, extending the validity period of US visas to three years and more, granting temporary protected status.