Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

First of all, let me thank Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for her leadership in bringing this bill to the floor today, the majority leader and the Speaker for scheduling it, and to Howard Berman for his strong support of it as well and his very eloquent statement just a moment ago.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 515, the Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011. The bill demonstrates our strong and sustained promotion of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law in Belarus through targeted sanctions against this brutal dictatorship of Alexander Lukashenko.

H.R. 515 reinforces earlier law, the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 and the Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2006, both of which passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and were signed into law.

This legislation is timely and necessary. The fraudulent December 19 elections in 2010 in Belarus and the ongoing crackdown on democracy activists and independent journalists by the Lukashenko dictatorship underscore the need for democracy-promoting legislation. Immediately after the election, the government responded to peaceful protests against electoral fraud with savage mass beatings and large-scale detentions--over 700 people.

Later on, Madam Speaker, I will put in the Record the list of many of the activists, many of whom were already in jail, their sentences--and these are men and women whose only crime was asking that Belarus matriculate from dictatorship to a democracy.

Of those charged, 40 have been convicted, with some receiving very harsh sentences--up to 6 years. And, of course, after those 6 years are over, what Lukashenko and his cronies usually do is find some reason to extend those jail sentences. So these sentences are awful indeed.

As Ileana Ros-Lehtinen pointed out a moment ago, the chairwoman of our committee, this also includes five of the nine Presidential candidates who ran against Lukashenko, their families, lawyers, journalists, and democratic activists who continue to be harassed and intimidated. It is the worst political crackdown in Europe in over a decade. And it's ongoing, Madam Speaker.

The repressive regime in Belarus was in full force earlier this week as police broke up protesters attempting to mark their country's independence day. Hundreds were detained, and 140 already received administrative sentences or fines, including independent journalists reporting on rallies held across the country.

The post-election has followed the pattern of repression that has characterized Lukashenko's 17-year rule. Through a series of rigged elections, large-scale intimidation and suppression of independent media and civil society, the dictator has long since consolidated his control over virtually all national institutions. This dictatorship, as has been said, is the worst of any in Europe today.

Perhaps most significantly about the legislation, the bill supports targeted sanctions. It expresses the sense of the Congress to deny the privilege of visiting our country to senior Belarus officials, their immediate families and others involved in human rights violations and anti-democracy actions, including those involved in the December 19 post-election crackdown. Likewise, it has provisions prohibiting U.S. Government financing, except for humanitarian goods and agricultural products or medical products and nonhumanitarian loans from international financial institutions to the Belarusan Government; and blocking assets owned by the Belarusan Government's senior leadership or their families and others involved in antidemocratic actions. These sanctions are aimed at the senior leadership of a dictatorship that displays utter contempt for the dignity and rights of the Belarusan people, and with these sanctions we stand with the Belarusan people against their oppressors.

H.R. 515 requires the State Department to issue a new report to Congress on the sale, delivery or provision of weapons or weapons- related technologies or training, Lukashenka's personal wealth and assets, and cooperation by the Belarusian government with any foreign government or organizations related to censorship or surveillance of the Internet.

H.R. 515 states a U.S. government policy of strong support for the Belarusian people in their struggle against the Lukashenka dictatorship, aspiring to live in a free and independent country where their human rights are respected, they can choose their government, and officials apply just laws that they themselves are subject to.

This bill encourages those struggling for decency and basic rights against the overwhelming pressures from the anti-democratic regime. It calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Belarus, including those detained in the post-election crackdown and refuses to recognize the results of the flawed elections. It calls for a full accounting of the 1999-2000 disappearances of opposition leaders and a journalist in Belarus and the prosecution of those responsible. At the same time it explicitly opens the door to the re-evaluation of U.S. policy towards the Belarusan government should it take significant steps toward democracy and respect for human rights.

H.R. 515 supports radio, television and Internet broadcasting to Belarus, specifically Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Voice of America, European Radio for Belarus and the satellite television station Belsat.

Madam Speaker, this bill comes to the floor as the Belarusan people are increasingly taking to the streets in protest against the dictatorship, and the EU Council is ramping up sanctions on Belarus. The Belarusan people deserve far better than the Lukashenka dictatorship--this bill is an act of support of their heroic struggle for human rights and democracy and is an act of profound respect and friendship for the people of Belarus.

Madam Speaker, I'd like to add to my earlier remarks in support of this legislation that, as part of a Helsinki Commission visit in to Minsk in June 2009, I had the opportunity to press Lukashenka directly on his dismal human rights record and denial of democratic freedoms.

While making clear our support for Belarus' independence, I and other members of the delegation reiterated the long-standing U.S. message that the only way to improve relations between our two countries was and is for him to take steps to increase political freedom and respect human rights. We told Lukashenka that the ball was in his court. There were even small, tentative steps in the right direction, but since December 19 any hopes for change have been crushed.

The December 19, 2010 fraudulent election, which the OSCE condemned as not having met international standards, and the continuing crackdown on democracy activists and independent journalists by the Lukashenka regime underscore the need for this legislation and our continued attention to the further deterioration of human rights and freedoms in Europe's remaining dictatorship. This ongoing repression is the harshest we have seen in Europe in more than a decade and a stark illustration that Belarus remains an anomaly--a pariah state--in today's Europe.

Peaceful protests against electoral fraud were met with mass beatings and detentions. Some of the jailed were abused and even tortured. Their families, lawyers, journalists and democratic activists have been harassed and intimidated. Students have been expelled from universities. Belarus now has more political prisoners than at any time under Lukashenka's rule, as the Belarusan tyrant has squelched dissent by convicting nearly 40 activists within the last few months on charges of mass rioting and disturbing the public order.

Some, including several opposition leaders who ran against Lukashenka in December and other political activists and civil society leaders, received severe, completely unjustified prison sentences of up to six years. Their trials were a politically motivated farce, in which policemen sometimes were not even able to identify the defendants, and which saw unexplained discrepancies between witness testimony favoring the defendants, and the judges return of guilty verdicts.

The now-6-month-long crackdown only magnifies the pattern of repression and gross and systematic human rights violations that has characterized Lukashenka's 17-year rule. He has systematically consolidated power over virtually all institutions through a series of rigged presidential and parliamentary elections, repeated violations of fundamental freedoms and the suppression of independent media and civil society, creating a climate of fear that pervades the country.

Thanks to this dictator's misrule, Belarus has the worst democracy and human rights record in Europe. Furthermore, Belarus's Soviet-style, structurally unreformed state-dominated economy is facing its worst crisis since Lukashenka came to power. Russian cut offs of energy subsidies and the explosion of the country's budget deficit following heavy state spending ahead of December's presidential elections in a populist bid to increase Lukashenka's waning popularity have contributed. Since then, Belarus has witnessed devaluation of its currency, a jump in inflation and increase in unemployment, and, in recent weeks, growing public protests.

Notwithstanding the almost universal condemnation and punitive measures by the U.S. and EU, Alexander Lukashenka continues to turn a deaf ear to the international community, and, more importantly, to the Belarusan people. The Belarusan autocrat has clearly manifested his profound mistrust of--and contempt for--the long-suffering Belarusan people at whose expense he has enriched himself for the past 17 years.

Clearly, the need for a sustained U.S. commitment to foster democracy and respect for human rights, and sanction Lukashenka and his cronies remains. I want to stress that both the Bush and Obama administrations have made good use of the previous Belarus Democracy Acts, of 2004 and 2006, reinforcing to the Belarusan goverment that the elected representatives of the American people--by overwhelming bipartisan majorities--support the policy of condemning and sanctioning the Belarusan government for its brutal human rights violations.

The visa bans and targeted financial and economic sanctions instituted by President Bush in response to the earlier legislation have been maintained, and in some ways expanded by President Obama since December 19th. Most recently, on May 27 President Obama issued a statement in which he condemned the conviction and sentencing of five opposition candidates, asserting that the United States considers these candidates, along with the other courageous activists arrested and charged in the crackdown, as political prisoners. The President also pledged to pursue new sanctions against select Belarusian state-owned enterprises, which H.R. 515 strongly encourages.

Unfortunately, two decades after the demise of the Soviet Union, Belarus remains in a time warp--unreconstructed politically and economically and isolated from its European roots, due to one man's dictatorial rule. His tactics are a chilling reminder of a darker time, more than two decades ago when the Soviet KGB hounded dissidents. It is a tragedy for the Belarusian people--who have suffered so much over the course of the last century--that Lukashenka is yet again choosing the path of self-isolation and squelching the desire for freedom. He is, yet again, making a mockery of Belarus' freely undertaken OSCE obligations.

The Belarusan people wish to live in a country where human rights are respected, democracy flourishes and the rule of law is the norm. I remain convinced that the time will soon come when Belarus will be integrated with the family of democratic nations. We must continue to resolutely stand at their side as they struggle to lift themselves from the yoke of this oppressive regime.

Belarus--Candidates or Activists under Criminal Charges Related to the

December 19-20 Post-Election Demonstration

Persons charged with organizing and participating in mass

disturbances (article 293 para 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code,

penalties of up to 15 years in jail)

Detainees, In detention, Trial date, Conviction and charge:

1. Andrey Sannikau, European Belarus coalition coordinator,

Charter97, presidential candidate, Yes, April 27-May 14, Five

years in a high security jail; organization of mass

disturbances.

2. Mikalay Statkevich, Narodnaya Hramada Social Democratic

party leader, presidential candidate, Yes, May 11-18, May 26,

Six years in a high security jail; organization of mass

disturbances.

3. Ales Mikhalevich, For Modernization NGO, presidential

candidate, No (abroad).

4. Dzmitry Us, presidential candidate, Yes, May 11-18, May

26, Five years and six months in a high security jail;

organization of mass disturbances.

5. Alyaksandr Atroshchankau, Sannikau's spokesperson, Yes;

appeal denied April 5, March 01-02, Four years in a high

security jail; participation in mass disturbances.

6. Natallya Radzina, Charter97 editor, No (abroad).

7. Anatol Lyabedzka, United Civic Party chair, No.

8. Alyaksandr Klaskouski, former police officer, Yes, May

11-18, May 26, Five years in a high security jail;

participation in mass disturbances, insult of an official,

unauthorized assumption of rank or powers of an official.

9. Uladzimir Kobets, Sannikau's campaign team leader, No.

10. Alyaksandr Arastovich, Statkevich's aid, No.

11. Anatol Paulau, Ramanchuk's aid, No.

12. Aleh Korban, Ramanchuk's aid, No.

13. Ivan Haponau, a Russian citizen, No, February 22, March

10, 10,500,000-ruble fine ($3,450); participation in mass

disturbances.

14. Artsyom Breus, a Russian citizen, No, February 22,

March 10, 10,500,000-ruble fine ($3,450); participation in

mass disturbances.

15. Mikita Likhavid, For Freedom movement activist, Yes,

March 22-23, March 29, Three years and six months in a high

security jail; participation in mass disturbances.

16. Dzmitry Novik, BPF member, Yes; appeal denied April 5,

March 01-02, Three years and six months in a high security

jail; participation in mass disturbances.

17. Aleh Fedarkevich, a demonstration participant, Yes, May

5-12, Three years and six months in jail; participation in

mass disturbances.

18. Uladzimir Khamichenka, a demonstration participant,

Yes, April 27-May 5, Three years in a high security jail;

participation in mass disturbances.

19. Dzmitry Myadzvedz, a demonstration participant, No,

March 01, March 10, Partial house arrest that requires

regular reporting to police and restricts travel without

prior permission from authorities; participation in mass

disturbances.

20. Uladzimir Loban, a demonstration participant, Yes, May

5-12, Three years in jail; participation in mass

disturbances.

21. Paval Vinahradau, ``Tell the truth'' activist, Yes,

April 27-May 05, Four years in a high security jail;

participation in mass disturbances.

22. Andrey Paznyak, a demonstration participant, No, May

11-18, May 26, Three years of partial house arrest;

participation in mass disturbances.

23. Alyaksandr Malchanau, a demonstration participant. Yes;

appeal denied April 5, March 01-02, Three years in a high

security jail; participation in mass disturbances and

desecration of state symbols.

24. Illya Vasilevich, a youth activist, Yes, April 27-May

14, Three years in a high security jail; participation in

mass disturbances.

25. Dzmitry Bulanau, a demonstration participant, Yes, May

11-18, May 26, Three years in a high security jail;

participation in mass disturbances.

26. Alyaksandr Kvyatkevich, a demonstration participant,

Yes, May 11-18, May 26, Three years and six months in a high

security jail; participation in mass disturbances.

27. Vasil Parfyankou, ``Tell the Truth'' activist, Yes;

appeal denied March 25, February 17, Four years in a high

security jail; participation in mass disturbances.

28. Artsyom Hrybkou, a demonstration participant, Yes, May

11-18, May 26, Four years in a high security jail;

participation in mass disturbances.

29. Fyodar Mirzayanau, a demonstration participant, Yes,

April 27-May 14, Three years in a high security jail;

participation in mass disturbances.

30. Ales Kirkevich, Malady Front activist, Yes, April 27-

May 5, Four years in a high security jail; participation in

mass disturbances.

31. Dzmitry Drozd, Sannikau's campaign team member, Yes,

April 27-May 5, Three years in a high security jail;

participation in mass disturbances.

32. Syarhey Kazakou, European Belarus activist, Yes, May 5-

12, Three years in jail; participation in mass disturbances.

33. Uladzimir Yaromenka, Malady Front activist, Yes, April

27-May 14, Three years in a high security jail; participation

in mass disturbances.

34. Dzmitry Daronin, a demonstration participant, Yes, May

5-12, Three years and six months in jail; participation in

mass disturbances.

35. Andrey Pratasenya, Ramanchuk's campaign team volunteer,

Yes, April 27-May 5, Three years in a high security jail;

participation in mass disturbances.

36. Aleh Hnedchyk, Nyaklyaeu's campaign activist, Yes,

April 27-May 14, Three years and six months in a high

security jail; participation in mass disturbances.

37. Vital Matsukevich, a demonstration participant, Yes,

May 5-12, Three years in a high security jail; participation

in mass disturbances.

38. Yauhen Sakret, Sannikau's campaign activist, Yes, May

5-12, Three years in jail; participation in mass

disturbances.

Persons charged with organizing, arranging, and actively

participating in activities that severely violate public

order (article 342 para 1 of the Criminal Code, penalties up

to three years in jail)

1. Uladzimir Nyaklyaeu, ``Tell the Truth'' campaign leader,

presidential candidate, No, May 5-20, Two years suspended

sentence.

2. Vital Rymasheuski, Belarusian Christian Democracy co-

chair, presidential candidate, No, May 5-20, Two years

suspended sentence.

3. Alyaksandr Fyaduta, Nyaklyaeu's aid, No, May 5-20, Two

years suspended sentence.

4. Andrey Dzmitryeu, Nyaklyaeu's campaign team leader, No,

May 5-20, Two years suspended sentence.

5. Syarhey Vaznyak, Nyaklyaeu's aid, No, May 5-20, Two

years suspended sentence.

6. Nasta Palazhanka, Malady Front deputy chair, No, May 5-

20, One year suspended sentence.

7. Paval Sevyarynets, Belarusian Christian Democracy co-

chair, Rymasheuski's aid, No, May 11-16, Three years of

``khimiya,'' a form of internal exile.

8. Zmitser Bandarenka, European Belarus coalition

coordinator, Charter97, Yes, April 26-27, Two years in jail.

9. Syarhey Martsaleu, Statkevich's aid, No, May 11-16, Two

years suspended sentence.

10. Iryna Khalip, independent journalist, Sannikau's wife,

No, May 11-16, Two years suspended sentence.

Persons suspected of organizing and participating in mass

riots (article 293 para 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code,

penalties of up to 15 years in jail)

1. Ryhor Kastuseu, BPF deputy, presidential candidate, No.

2. Anton Davydzenka, a demonstration participant, No.

3. Usevalad Kavalenka, a demonstration participant, No.

4. Syarhey Klyueu, ``Tell the truth'' activist, No.

5. Mikita Krasnou, a youth activist, No (abroad).

6. Dzmitry Apishau, a demonstration participant, No.

7. Leanid Navitski, Sannikau's aid, No (abroad).

8. Andrey Mikalayeu, a demonstration participant, No.

9. Alyaksandr Vasileuski, a demonstration participant, No.

10. Dzyanis Shydlouski, a demonstration participant, No.

11. Alyaksey Sharstou, a demonstration participant, No.

12. Dzmitry Huseltsau, a demonstration participant, No.

13. Vital Stazharau, a demonstration participant, No

(abroad).

Persons convicted of severe hooliganism committed by a

group of individuals inflicting bodily harm (article 339 para

2 and 3, penalties of up to ten years in jail); detained

December 18

1. Zmitser Dashkevich, Malady Front leader, Yes, March 22-

24, Two years in jail; severe hooliganism (para 2).

2. Eduard Lobau, Malady Front activist, Yes, March 22-24,

Four years in a high security jail; severe hooliganism (para

3 involving armaments).

Students Expelled after December 19 (for political

reasons).

Belarusian Committee for defense of the repressed

``Salidarnasc'' reports ten expelled students:

1. Yauheni Bely, Belarusian State University.

2. Uladzimir Syarheyeu, Belarusian State University.

3. Alyaksandr Lukashou, Belarusian State University.

4. Katsyaryna Davydzik, Belarusian State University.

5. Katsyaryna Klimko, Institute of Journalism, Belarusian

State University.

6. Aleh Anufyenka, Institute of Journalism, Belarusian

State University.

7. Viktorya Petrakouskaya, Maxim Tank Belarusian State

Pedagogical University.

8. Viktoryia Kruchkova, Maxim Tank Belarusian State

Pedagogical University.

9. Tatsiana Hrybouskaya, Maxim Tank Belarusian State

Pedagogical University.

10. Andrey Luhin, Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical

University.

11. Artsyom Khvastsyuk, Belarusian State University of

Informatics and Radioelectronics.

12. Uladzimir Yaromenak * Belarusian State University of

Informatics and Radioelectronics.

13. Illya Zhakhavets, Belarusian Institute of Law.

14. Yauhen Tsarykau, Minsk State High Radiotechnical

College.

15. Illyia Vasilevich * Minsk State Polytechnic College.

16. Boris Zakharchuk, Hrodna State University named after

Kupala.

17. Yauhen Busko, Hrodna State University named after

Kupala.

18. Arseni Asmanau, Homyel State University named after

Skaryna.

19. Mikita Likhavid * Minsk Institute of Entrepreneurship.

20. Fyodar Mirzayanau * Belarusian State Economic

University.

* Tried and Sentenced to terms in prison

Other sources report (unconfirmed):

1. Ales Krot (Member of Studentskaya Rada [independent

Student Council], Belarusian National Technical University.

2. Anna Baraban, Belarusian State University.

3. Alina Litvinchuk, Brest State University.

4. Syarhey Sadouski, Belarusian State University of

Informatics and Radioelectronics.

According to ``Salidarnasc'', one student was expelled

before December 19 (for political reasons).

1. Mikhail Mikulich Maxim Tank Belarusian State Pedagogical

University.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I thank the distinguished chairwoman for yielding and join her first in mourning the passing of Vaclav Havel, the great President and human rights crusader, one of the founders of Charter 77, a magnificent human rights manifesto, that took the Helsinki final act and turned it into a very durable and tangible program of action for the people of Czechoslovakia. Charter 77 has been replicated all over the world, including in Belarus--it's called Charter 97 there--as well as in places like Vietnam, where it's Bloc 8406.

I would note parenthetically that, back in the 1980s, I and some members of the Helsinki Commission, including Steny Hoyer, sought to meet with members of Charter 77. All but one, Father Valclav Maly--now Bishop Maly--got through to our meeting. The rest were detained by the secret police, including Vaclav Havel.

It's interesting and very important to point out that Vaclav Havel, before he passed away, tragically, sent a strong letter to the people of Belarus encouraging them to hold firm and expressing his overwhelming solidarity with the people of Belarus as they seek their universally recognized human rights. Again, this man never ceased in his promotion of human rights anywhere--from Burma to Belarus-- including to his dying day, sending this

very important letter to the Belarusian people.

Mr. Speaker, I do rise in strong support and urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 515 again. We passed it last July, but it came back from the Senate with a couple of additions which are very much appreciated.

I especially want to thank Chairman John Kerry and Senator Lugar for their cooperation in helping to bring this legislation back to the House; and I want to thank the distinguished gentlelady for her leadership, and Howard Berman, as well as the Speaker and Eric Cantor, for bringing this legislation to the floor.

This is a very timely piece of legislation. As was noted, it is exactly 1 year ago today since the bloody December 19, 2010, election- night crackdown in Belarus which swept up more than 700 opposition supporters, many of whom I know personally, who dared to challenge the rule of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

On this day of remembrance, we are here in the House to pass legislation that we know President Obama will sign--he supports it-- that demonstrates our country's support for the human rights of the Belarusian people for democracy and the rule of law in Belarus through sanctions targeted against the dictator Lukashenko and his senior officials.

This legislation tracks legislation that I authored in 2004 and '06, which is current policy, called the Belarus Democracy Act, and it builds on that framework of trying to target those who are actually inflicting the abuse. It's timely and necessary. As I said, those jailed--and remember, there are many who have been jailed and more that are being jailed as we meet--have been subjected to degrading and humiliating treatment, and some have been tortured. More than 40 were convicted, and about a dozen, including several presidential candidates, remain imprisoned to this day. At a Helsinki Commission hearing that I chaired only last month, we heard shocking, heartbreaking testimony from one of the presidential candidates who had endured torture during his 2-month stay at a KGB prison--and, yes, Mr. Speaker, in Belarus, it is still called the KGB, reminding one how little Belarus has strayed from its dark, Soviet roots. In addition to the arrested, the families, the lawyers, the independent journalists and the democratic activists who are not yet in prison continue to be harassed and intimidated and their homes watched by the KGB. This has been the worst political crackdown in Europe in well over a decade.

The postelection crackdown has followed the pattern, however, of repression that has characterized Lukashenko'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 consolidated his control over virtually all national institutions. His dictatorship has the worst record for human rights by far of any government in Europe.

Specifically, and significantly, the sanctions outlined in the bill are aimed at the senior leadership of the dictatorship that displays utter contempt for the dignity and the rights of the Belarusan people. With these sanctions we stand with the Belarusan people and against their oppressors.

H.R. 515 requires the State Department to issue a new report to Congress on the sale, delivery, or provision of weapons or weapons- related technologies or training; Lukashenko's personal wealth and assets; and cooperation by the Belarusan Government with any foreign government or organizations related to censorship or surveillance of the Internet.

H.R. 515 states a U.S. Government policy of strong support for the Belarusan people in their struggle against Lukashenko to live in a free, independent country where their human rights are respected. The bill encourages those struggling despite overwhelming pressures from an anti-democratic regime. It calls for a full accounting of the 1999 to 2000 disappearances. This morning I was with a woman whose husband disappeared, presumed to be dead by this regime, and she continues to this day struggling for human rights on behalf of her people now in exile.

It calls for and supports radio, television, and Internet broadcasting to Belarus, specifically Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, Voice of America, European Radio for Belarus, and the satellite television station BelSat.

It calls for a release of all of the political prisoners. We can't say that enough. We can't say it one day and forget it the next. We need to redouble our efforts, beginning today, to promote a free Belarus where all can live in peace, freedom and prosperity without that knock in the middle of the night by the KGB.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 515) to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, as amended.

I ask that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 515.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I would like to thank Chairman Smith and Chairman Bachus for their cooperation in allowing this bill to proceed so swiftly to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 515, the Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011.

I would like to thank my distinguished colleague and friend, Mr. Smith, for introducing this timely and important measure.

Belarus has been correctly deemed the last dictatorship of Europe. Under the iron hand of Lukashenko, the Belarusian people have endured the systemic denial and violation of their basic freedoms and human rights.

The authorities in Belarus have severely restricted free speech and independent media. Prodemocracy political activists are subject to beatings and imprisonment. The regime's heavy-handed tactics were fully utilized in last December's fraudulent election for president.

According to our own Department of State's Human Rights Report: ``Authorities denied citizens the right to change their government, manipulating the December 19 presidential election to ensure that the president would not be seriously challenged.

``Security forces beat detainees and protesters, used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrators, and reportedly used torture during investigations.

``A crackdown on post-election demonstrations led to the arrest of over 700 activists, including criminal charges against five presidential candidates and numerous activists and journalists.''

Unfortunately, the regime, despite its repeated promises of reform, continues this campaign of repression against its own people.

In response to the rumors that peaceful protesters were planning to gather on Belarusian Independence Day, July 3, just recently, to show their opposition to the regime by clapping their hands, the dictator stated, ``Stomping, clapping, bellowing and roaring on squares and streets cannot solve problems. The state has the resources and power to pacify those who violate the law and the constitution.''

We have now seen Lukashenko did indeed use the state's power to pacify the demonstrators. How? He ordered the authorities to start by firing tear gas at the protesters, followed by the violent beating and imprisonment of those who dared to clap their hands. Over 300 activist were arrested and today 140 were convicted on such dubious charges as being hooligans or participating in unsanctioned demonstrations.

This unrelenting persecution of the Belarusian people by the regime is simply unacceptable. The U.S. and other responsible nations must support the prodemocracy forces in Belarus and hold the authoritarian regime in Minsk accountable for its growing abuses.

That's why I am pleased to support this important measure which, among other things, condemns the conduct of the recent presidential elections and the crackdown on opposition candidates and activists, expresses a sense of Congress that the President should continue to support radio, television and Internet broadcasting to the people of Belarus and expand on existing sanctions, including the denial of visas to any member of the Belarusian Government who participated in the crackdown on opposition leaders, journalists, and peaceful protesters that occurred in connection with the December elections.

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Judiciary,

Washington, DC, May 5, 2011.

Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,

Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Ros-Lehtinen: I am writing in response to

your letter concerning H.R. 515, the ``Belarus Democracy

Reauthorization Act of 2011,'' which the Committee on Foreign

Affairs reported favorably. As a result of your having

consulted with us on provisions in H.R. 515 that fall within

the Rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the Judiciary, we

are able to agree to discharging our Committee from further

consideration of this bill in order that it may proceed

expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.

The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual

understanding that by foregoing consideration of H.R. 515 at

this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over subject

matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our

Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as the

bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may

address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. Our

Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an

appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate

conference involving this or similar legislation, and

requests your support for any such request.

I appreciate your including our exchange of letters on this

matter in your committee report, or in the Congressional

Record during floor consideration of H.R. 515.

Sincerely,

Lamar Smith,

Chairman.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 515) to reauthorize the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004.

I ask unanimous consent that all Members may

have 5 legislative days to submit for the Record statements and extraneous materials on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of H.R. 515, the Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act. Before I begin my prepared remarks, however, I would like to take a moment to honor the life of former President Vaclav Havel, an inspirational leader and lifelong advocate for the cause of freedom.

Throughout his lifetime, Havel was part of an incredible transformation of Czechoslovakia, from an oppressive, communist Soviet satellite to the free, democratic, independent nation that is the Czech Republic. Many people at that time had given up hope that such a transformation was possible. It was beyond their imagination. But Vaclav Havel never lost faith and believed that people yearning for liberty could come together and affect incredible change.

Even following the liberation of his own country, Mr. Havel continued to champion the cause of the oppressed around the world, adding his voice to those calling for freedom in countries throughout Europe, the Balkans, and even my native homeland of Cuba.

As he eloquently said after the Velvet Revolution that brought liberty to his people: ``None of us know all of the potentialities that slumber in the spirit of the population, or all the ways in which that population can surprise us when there is the right interplay of events.''

It is therefore fitting that we come here today to consider this measure to support the democratic movement in a country relatively near Mr. Havel's homeland, a country called the ``last dictatorship in Europe.''

The brutal Lukashenko regime in Belarus has time and again proven itself to be unrepentant in the oppression of its own people. Despite claims of reform by those in leadership positions, there have been no real changes in Belarus. It seems that's the same script that all communist or communist-style dictators are using these days. It's the same facade the Cuban dictatorship seeks to perpetuate.

Hundreds of political prisoners remain in jail in Belarus, including two former Presidential candidates and a well-respected human rights defender, and credible reports indicate these prisoners are frequently subjected to degrading and inhumane treatment. Even those who have been previously released in attempted overtures to the West frequently are rearrested or face some other type of intimidation and retribution.

Mr. Speaker, last year, the world watched as over 700 pro-democracy protesters were arrested en masse. Their crime? Simply clapping their hands--their hands. This was their peaceful expression of dissent with the regime and fraudulent elections which kept it in power. For clapping their hands.

Today marks the 1-year anniversary of those protests, and how does Belarus' dictator choose to mark this occasion? He has had police summon a key democratic opposition leader and has detained several independent journalists. This clearly shows that the regime is not interested in reform, only in retaining power--power through the muzzling of the opposition, power through the silencing of independent journalists, and power through the repression of its own people.

But as Mr. Havel stated, there is great potential in people who are calling for their own liberty. The people of Belarus are actively calling for their liberty, and this measure before us today provides them with the assistance and the resources they need to continue their valiant struggles.

I urge my colleagues to join us in showing their support for the people of Belarus by passing this important bill today.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, a strong advocate for freedom everywhere and the author of the bill before us.

I have no further requests for time. I just wanted to thank my friend from Virginia for his statements, and I want to thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his leadership on all things related to human rights, freedom, and liberty.

What an interesting weekend that we saw, not just the death of Mr. Havel but, at the same time, the death of Kim Jong Il. What an incredible juxtaposition to see a wonderful human rights leader like Mr. Havel and then at the same time a terrible despot like Kim Jong Il who was responsible for actually starving his people as well as having them hunger for freedom and justice.

With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of this legislation. One year ago today, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko staged a fraudulent election.

After tens of thousands of ordinary Belarusians gathered to protest the conduct and results of that election, he arrested hundreds of them, including opposition candidates who dared to run against him. Last May, most were convicted and handed heavy sentences of up to 6 years in prison.

Since then, the Lukashenko regime has continued to harass members of opposition political parties, human rights activists and civil society, and to suppress Belarusians' access to free press and information.

This summer, when citizens of Belarus gathered over several weeks to protest peacefully against Lukashenko and his regime and the deteriorating economic situation there, he had them arrested for simply clapping their hands.

Just last month, the government tightened restrictions on the ability of civil society groups to receive foreign grants and placed even greater restrictions on peaceful protests.

The Obama administration, to its credit, has led the strong international reaction to the fraudulent elections, postelection crackdown and further deterioration of the human rights situation in Belarus. On February 2, the United States significantly expanded the list of Belarusian officials subject to travel restrictions and to having their assets blocked, and restored full U.S. sanctions against Belarus' largest state-owned oil and gas concern and all of its subsidiaries.

On July 2, Secretary of State Clinton met with activists from Belarus during her visit to Lithuania for a meeting of the Community of Democracies. She repeated her demand that Belarus release political prisoners and embark on the path of democratic reform. Just last night, Secretary Clinton and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton released a joint statement highlighting American and European concerns about continued human rights abuses in Belarus on the 1-year anniversary of the December 19, 2010, political crackdown.

In coordination with the European Union, the Obama administration has significantly expanded democracy assistance to the private sector in Belarus this year. These new resources will support the kind of assistance called for in the Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011 which we consider here today. By passing this legislation, Mr. Speaker, we are doing our part to encourage the free exchange of ideas in Belarus and helping to ensure a brighter future for the people of that tortured nation, people who, like people everywhere, have the right to free expression and self-government.

I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I want to congratulate my friend from New Jersey. He has been a passionate advocate for human rights across the board. He and I may not always agree on all issues, but his passion and his commitment to human rights universally cannot be questioned and has made a great contribution to this institution, and I thank him.

I believe that the yearning for human rights is a basic human yearning. It is not limited to the American culture or the Western culture, as we have seen in the outpouring of support during the Arab Spring for the basic human freedoms: the right to organize, the right to express politically, the right to practice one's religion freely, the right to organize political parties and to involve themselves in political dissent. These are universal yearnings, as our Founders understood, in their genius, in the writing of the Declaration of Independence. And it is absolutely a fundamental American value that we proclaim those freedoms, and we assist those who seek actively in that yearning to implement those freedoms.

Again, I congratulate the distinguished chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and our colleague from New Jersey for their leadership.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.