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Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-19) introduced House Resolution 673 "expressing support for the efforts of the people of the Republic of Belarus to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and urging the Government of Belarus to conduct a free and fair presidential election on March 19, 2006."
President Bush, as far back as October 2004, recognized that Belarus was not heading in the right direction when he said, "The fate of Belarus will rest not with a dictator, but with the students, trade unionists, civic and religious leaders, journalists, and all citizens of Belarus claiming freedom for their nation."
Since that time President Alexsandr Lukashenko has returned Belarus to Soviet-style governmental rule. Independent media have been closed, and the KGB has returned.
In a Dear Colleague letter Shimkus noted the Belarusian were moved up to March by Lukashenko in "a move designed to prevent the opposition parties from being able to adequately prepare for a nationwide election and keep the Belarusian people under the iron fist of the Lukashenko regime."
"This resolution is a testament to the people of Belarus," Shimkus stated. "I want them to know that the United States is not going to stand idly by while they fall under the control of a dictator."
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has already called this regime the "last true dictatorship in the center of Europe." She has also compared Belarus to Iran, North Korea, Burma, Cuba, and Zimbabwe.
The House International Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats marked up Shimkus’ resolution on February 14. The full committee will likely take up this legislation next week.
In his opening remarks at the markup, Subcommittee Chairman Elton Gallegly (R, California-24) noted the restrictions on the people of Belarus, including that "Youth activists face constant harassment, with expulsion from university and jail sentences….Media in Belarus is controlled by the state….Mass gatherings in public squares, including peaceful protests, are illegal."
Shimkus’ resolution notes that the 2004 constitutional referendum did not meet international standards and includes a litany of requirements for free and fair elections. It goes on to urge Belarus to "…guarantee freedom of association and assembly, including the right of candidates, members of political parties, and others to freely assembly, to organize and conduct public events, and to exercise these and other rights free from intimidation or harassment by national or local officials.....ensure the full transparency of election procedures before, during, and after the 2006 presidential elections."
A rally is being held in Washington, DC, in support of freedom in Belarus on February 16 across from the Belarusian Embassy. |
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