Legislation to support people struggling for basic human rights in Belarus—often called Europe’s last dictatorship—was approved today by the House Africa, Global Health and Human Rights Subcommittee.

    “The fraudulent December 19, 2010 election in Belarus and the ongoing crackdown on democracy activists and independent journalists by the Lukashenka dictatorship underscore the need for this legislation,” said Rep. Chris Smith author of the legislation and chairman of the subcommittee panel. “Immediately after the election, the government responded to peaceful protests against electoral fraud with savage mass beatings and large-scale detentions – over 700 people.  Some of those jailed have been abused and even tortured.  A number have already received harsh sentences of up to four years. Nearly 30 remain in detention.  Their families, lawyers, journalists and democratic activists continue to be harassed and intimidated. To view Chairman Smith’s statement, click here.

    The bill, H.R. 515, was approved by the subcommittee and will be taken up in a full Foreign Affairs Committee session tomorrow, April 14.  It calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus, including those detained in the post-election crackdown. It also refuses to recognize the results of the flawed elections. H.R. 515 as amended now heads to the full House Foreign Affairs Committee for a vote.

    Related legislation Smith authored in previous Congresses—the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 and the Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2006—passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law. H.R. 515 states a U.S. government policy of supporting the basic human rights of the Belarusan people against the Lukashenka dictatorship, and for a full accounting of the 1999-2000 disappearances of opposition leaders and a journalist in Belarus, and the prosecution of those responsible.

    The bill requires the administration to report to Congress on the Belarusan governments activities in selling arms abroad, censorship or surveillance of the internet, and the personal assets and wealth of Lukashenka and other senior leadership figures. It also states the sense of the Congress that the administration should deny entry into the U.S. of Belarusan senior government officials, as well as their immediate family members and business partners, and members of the security services involved in the post-election crackdown. The bill also expresses the sense of the Congress that the U.S. administration should refuse U.S. government or Trade and Development Agency financing.

    Smith said the recent brutal crackdown follows the pattern of repression that has characterized Lukashenka’s nearly 17-year rule.

    “Through a series of rigged elections, large-scale intimidation, and the suppression of independent media and civil society, the dictator has long since consolidated his control over virtually all national institutions,” Smith said. “Lukashenka’s dictatorship has the worst democracy and human rights record of any government in Europe.”