US Senate Adopts Belarus Democracy Act

The law expands the powers of the US President to impose sanctions against the Lukashenka regime.

The US Senate has approved Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act. As previously reported, the document grants additional powers to the US President to impose sanctions in connection with the 2020 elections in Belarus and subsequent events.

The bill was presented by Congressman Chris Smith. He is one of the authors of the Belarus Democracy Acts 2004, 2006, and 2011.

As noted in the explanatory note to the document, this expands "the President's authority to impose sanctions" in connection with the 2020 elections in Belarus.

"The President may impose visa-blocking sanctions on any alien who (1) is a member of the Central Election Commission of Belarus or assisted in the manipulation of the August 9, 2020, presidential election, (2) is a government official responsible for the crackdown on independent media, (3) is an official of the Union State (an international organization consisting of Belarus and Russia), or (4) is a Russian individual who has significantly participated in the crackdown on the press or human rights abuses related to political repression in Belarus," the text says.

In addition, the updated Belarus Democracy Act contains the following provisions:

recognize the Coordination Council as a legitimate institution to participate in a dialogue on a peaceful transition of power and refuse to recognize Aliaksandr Lukashenka as the legitimately elected leader of Belarus;

calls for new presidential and parliamentary elections, conducted in a manner that is free and fair according to OSCE standards;

calls for the immediate release without preconditions of all political prisoners;

supports the aspirations of the people of Belarus to exercise their religious freedom;

allows support in the development of democracy and civil society in Belarus;

declares that the USA does not recognize the inclusion of Belarus in the Union State with Russia;

requires a US strategy to promote broadcasting, internet freedom, and access to information;

provides the necessary support to the Belarusian media and the IT sector.

Earlier, the document was approved by the House of Representatives of the US Congress. Now it must go to the president for signature.