New Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act Submitted to US House of Representatives

A bill extending the Belarus Democracy Act for 2009 and 2010 has been submitted to the US House of Representatives for debate.

House of RepresentativesThe draft, named the Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2008, was introduced by a group of US lawmakers, led by Christopher Smith.

It would continue and extend the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, which calls for assistance to Belarusian political parties, NGOs and independent media while prohibiting US government agencies from providing loans and investment to the Belarus government, except for humanitarian purposes.

The draft features updated data on the country.

It says that the Belarusian government released in 2008 some political prisoners, but former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin still remains imprisoned.

It notes that the Department of State, the Department of the Treasury and other executive branch agencies have made "effective use" of the Act to promote its purposes.

The draft also notes that the United States` policy toward Belarus may be revaluated as soon as the Belarusian authorities demonstrate progress consistent with the aims of the Act.

Apart from support for human rights defenders, independent media, trade unions, youth groups, pro-democratic political parties, the draft also specifically calls for support for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Voice of America, and Polish-based Belsat channel and European Radio for Belarus.

The Act, authored by Mr. Smith and extended for two years in 2006, requires reports concerning the sale or delivery of weapons or related technologies from Belarus to rogue states and reports on the Belarusian leader`s personal assets as well as those of other top officials.

It bans the US government from providing financial assistance to Belarus except for humanitarian aid until Minsk conducts a thorough inquiry into the 1999-2000 disappearances of Alyaksandr Lukashenka`s opponents, releases political prisoners, drops charges against opposition figures and ends the politically-motivated prosecution of civil society.

The Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2006 authorized $40 million for democracy-building activities in Belarus, such as support for non-governmental organizations and international exchanges, and $15 million for radio and television broadcasting to the country.