Supporting People of Belarus and Their Democratic Aspirations and Condemning Election Rigging and Subsequent Violent Crackdowns on Peaceful Protesters

Floor Speech

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Mr. MEEKS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 124) supporting the people of Belarus and their democratic aspirations and condemning the election rigging and subsequent violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters by the illegitimate Lukashenka regime, as amended.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 124.

This resolution, introduced by the chair of the Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber, Mr. Keating, my good friend, is an excellent measure that solidifies this body's already strong bipartisan support for the people of Belarus. I also thank the ranking member for his work.

After Alyaksandr Lukashenka stole the August 9, 2020, elections, the Belarusian people, led by thousands of women dressed in white and fearless opposition leaders, including Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, peacefully took to the streets in historic numbers to demand the right to chart their own democratic future, a future free of Lukashenka's dictatorial grip.

Tragically, but unsurprisingly, these peaceful protestors were met with the same brutal, violent tactics that have defined Lukashenka's nearly three-decades-long rule. In his desperate attempt to cling to power, thousands were beaten, injured, and illegally detained without due process by security forces. Meanwhile, critical access to the internet, international broadcasting, and other forms of communication and expression were cut off to suppress the dissent, control the flow of information, and prevent the opposition from organizing any further.

But the resolve of the Belarusian people, the brave, peaceful protestors, the opposition in exile, and the vibrant Belarusian diaspora has not wavered. The resolve of the United States, our allies, and this body must not waver either.

With the passing of this resolution, the House shines a spotlight on the illegitimacy of the Lukashenka regime and his abhorrent human rights violations.

We must continue to build on the work of the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020, an effort led by another distinguished member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and, as indicated by Ranking Member McCaul, a longtime champion for human rights in Belarus, Mr. Smith of New Jersey. We thank him for his work.

By passing this good, bipartisan resolution, the House will strengthen its longstanding commitment and record on democracy and human rights. We will continue to demonstrate that we stand in solidarity with the freedom-loving Belarusians, who continue to struggle for their fundamental democratic and human rights every day. We do this hand in hand with our allies and partners across the Atlantic.

Madam Speaker, I stand today not only to support this measure, but in support of democracy and the sanctity of the democratic process and solidarity with the people of Belarus.

This is a very important resolution. I support it and I urge all of my colleagues to do the same.

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