The U.S. Prepares the Act on the Assets of Lukashenka and His Family

This will become a part of the law on sanctions against his regime.

Representatives of the two largest U.S. parties in Congress have prepared a draft document that may become an American response to the situation in Belarus.

The Act implies imposing sanctions against Belarusian officials, increasing aid for the country, as well as preparing reports on Russia's actions and Lukashenka's assets. This is reported by the official website of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the American Parliament (translation - tut.by).

The new Act is reportedly a response to repression, violence, and electoral fraud in Belarus. Six U.S. congressmen, representing both Republicans and Democrats, have drafted the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act, which effectively re-enters the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004.

The Act declares that the United States refuses to recognize the results of the presidential elections on August 9, 2020, in Belarus and Lukashenka as the legitimately elected leader of Belarus and also calls for a new presidential election in Belarus that complies with OSCE standards. It also calls for the release of all political prisoners in Belarus, highlighting the U.S. citizen political strategist Vital Shkliarou and Maryja Kalesnikava. The text says that the United States refuses to recognize any incorporation of Belarus into a so-called "Union State" that is under the control of Russia.

Specific steps outlined in the document include the imposition of sanctions on Belarusian officials from the highest echelons of power and security forces, as well as further steps to strengthen the sanctions regime, including sanctions against Russian individuals complicit in the political repression in Belarus and the crackdown on independent media, as indicated in the document. The Act also authorizes U.S. assistance to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Belarus. The document provides for an increase in the amount of assistance to Belarus and the work of the United States Agency for Global Media with a surge capacity for its programs and activities in Belarus and also requires developing of a U.S. strategy to promote expanded broadcasting, internet freedom, and access to information in Belarus.

According to the Act, the United States should continue to coordinate with the European Union, its member states, the United Kingdom, and Canada to support the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people and to deter Russia's attempts to undermine Belarus' sovereignty and independence.

If the Act is passed, the U.S. Secretary of State, together with the Director of National Intelligence, will have to prepare two reports to Congress: one on Russia's efforts to undermine Belarus' sovereignty and independence and the other one on the assets owned by Lukashenka and his family members.

It is anticipated that the Act will be finalized by the Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee on October 2 and then submitted for a possible vote by the full House of Representatives.