US Republican Congressman Christopher Smith called on the House of Representatives to pass the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act as soon as possible, which would impose sanctions on republican officials responsible for suppressing the protests and Russian citizens involved in it. Smith's statement is posted on the Chamber's website.
The author of the bill, backed by representatives of both parties, indicated that the presidential elections in Belarus on August 9 were rigged, and after that the authorities forcibly tried to suppress the protests. “Madam Speaker, the people of Belarus – especially the pro-democratic leaders – are in desperate need of our help. And they need it right now, ”Smith pointed out.
He also called the Belarusian opposition cohesive, intelligent, principled, staunch and unusually brave.
In addition to the introduction of sanctions, the bill provides for the recognition of the Opposition Coordination Council as a legal body for participation in the dialogue on the peaceful transfer of power, calls for the release of all political prisoners and hold new presidential elections, and also does not recognize the inclusion of Belarus in the Union State with Russia.
“By adopting this bill today, followed by its approval in the Senate and the signing of the law by the President, we can not only confirm, but also significantly expand our support and solidarity with the great people of Belarus,” Smith said.
The House of Representatives is expected to discuss this document on Wednesday, November 18th.
In early October, the United States imposed sanctions on eight Belarusian civil servants. It was, among other things, about the Minister of Internal Affairs Yuri Karaev, his deputies Alexander Barsukov and Yury Nazarenko, the head of the capital's OMON Dmitry Balab, the deputy commander of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus Khazalbek Atabekov and the head of the Municipal Department of Internal Affairs of the Minsk City Executive Committee Ivan Kubrakov. In addition, employees of the Central Election Commission also fell under the restrictions: the deputy chairman Vadim Ipatov and the secretary Elena Dmukhaylo.
For the past three months, there have been massive protests in Belarus over the official results of the August 9 presidential elections, according to which the current President Alexander Lukashenko won 80 percent of the vote. The opposition considers Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to be the winner. According to Lukashenka, the West is behind the organization of the protest actions.
