Legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) to provide sustained support for the promotion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the Republic of Belarus was approved by the House of Representatives today.

    “As one who has worked for freedom in Belarus over many, many years, I remain deeply concerned that the Belarusian people continue to be subjected to the arbitrary and self-serving whims of a corrupt and anti-democratic regime headed by Alexander Lukashenka,” said Smith–Chairman of the Africa, Global Human Rights, and International Operations Subcommittee and Co-Chairman of the Helsinki Commission–said during debate in the House. “Since the blatantly fraudulent March 19 presidential elections, the pattern of repression and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms has continued. While those who would dare oppose the regime are especially targeted, the reality is that all in Belarus outside Lukashenka’s inner circle pay a price.” 

    The “Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2006” (H.R. 5948) passed the House by a vote of 397-2. The bill reauthorizes the “Belarus Democracy Act” (P.L. 108-347) which Smith authored and passed into law in 2004. Smith received assurances from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist that the legislation would be considered under unanimous consent in the Senate as soon as it arrives, paving the way for the bill to be sent to President Bush before the 109^th Congress adjourns. 

    Belarus continues to have the worst rights record of any European state, rightly earning the country the designation as Europe's last dictatorship. During the debate, Smith said the Belarus Democracy Act has had positive effects despite the fact that human rights conditions in Belarus are continuing to deteriorate. 

    “Prompt passage of the Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2006 will help maintain this momentum aimed at upholding the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people. With the continuing decline on the ground in Belarus since the fraudulent March elections, this bill is needed now more than ever,” Smith said.

    Specifically, the bill authorizes funding for each of fiscal years 2007 and 2008 for democracy-building activities such as support for non-governmental organizations, including youth groups, independent trade unions and entrepreneurs, human rights defenders, independent media, democratic political parties, and international exchanges.

    The bill also authorizes funding for each fiscal year for surrogate radio and television broadcasting to the people of Belarus. In addition, this legislation expresses Congress’s will that sanctions be imposed against the Lukashenka regime, and that senior officials of the regime—as well as those engaged in human rights and electoral abuses, including lower-level officials—be denied entry into the United States.

    “The beleaguered Belarusian people have suffered so much over the course of the last century and deserve better than to live under a regime frighteningly reminiscent of the Soviet Union. The struggle of the people of Belarus for dignity and freedom deserves our unyielding and consistent support,” Smith said.