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PROMOTING DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN BELARUSForeign Relations Authorization Act., H.R. 2140To authorize appropriations for the Department of State and the Peace Corps for fiscal years 2010 and 2011, to modernize the Foreign Service, and for other purposes IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 14, 2009 Mr. BERMAN introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs Section on Belarus: (a) Findings- Congress finds the following: (1) Despite some modest improvements, notably the release of political prisoners, the Belarusian Government's human rights and democracy record remains poor as governmental authorities continue to commit frequent serious abuses. (2) Since 1996, President Alexander Lukashenka has consolidated his power over all institutions and undermined the rule of law through authoritarian means. (3) Belarus restricts civil liberties, including freedoms of press, speech, assembly, association, and religion. Nongovernmental organizations and political parties are subject to harassment, fines, prosecution, and closure. The Belarusian Government maintains a virtual monopoly over the country's information space. b) Policy- It is the policy of the United States to-- (1) support the aspirations of the people of Belarus for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law; (2) support the aspirations of the people of Belarus to preserve the independence and sovereignty of their country; (3) seek and support the growth of democratic movements and institutions in Belarus as well the development of a democratic political culture and civil society; (4) seek and support the growth of an open market economy in Belarus through the development of entrepreneurship and protection of property rights; and (5) remain open to re-evaluating United States policy toward Belarus, including existing sanctions, as warranted by demonstrable democratic and human rights progress made by the Belarusian Government. (c) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that-- (1) the United States should furnish assistance to Belarus to the support democratic processes in that country, including-- (A) expanding and facilitating the development of independent print, radio, television, and internet broadcasting to and within Belarus; (B) aiding the development of civil society through assistance to nongovernmental organizations promoting democracy and supporting human rights, including youth groups, entrepreneurs, and independent trade unions; (C) supporting the work of human rights defenders; (D) enhancing the development of democratic political parties; (E) assisting the promotion of free, fair, and transparent electoral processes; (F) enhancing international exchanges, including youth and student exchanges, as well as advanced professional training programs for leaders and members of the democratic forces in skill areas central to the development of civil society; and (G) supporting educational initiatives such as the European Humanities University, a Belarusian university in exile based in Vilnius, Lithuania; and (2) the United States should support radio, television, and internet broadcasting to the people of Belarus in languages spoken in Belarus, including broadcasting by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, European Radio for Belarus, and Belsat. Note: Rep. Howard Berman, who introduced this resolution, is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The Bill has been passed by the full House of Representatives on June 10, 2009. This article appeared in Belarusian Review, Vol. 21, No. 2 --------------------------------------------- Copyright 2009 Belarusian Review All rights reserved. belarusianreview@hotmailcom
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