US may allocate $30 mln to support Belarus civil society, independent media, human rights defenders


The United State House Committee on Appropriations has approved the scaling-up of financial assistance rendered to Belarusian civil society (from $11 mln to $ 30 mln), according to a recent report.

The committee submitted the report in explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes.

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The committee recommendation includes not less than $30,000,000 for civil society, rule of law, democracy, independent media and human rights in Belarus. It should be noted that the authors of the document call Alyaksandr Lukashenka ‘illegitimate president’, showing concern over ongoing and brutal oppression of the Belarusian people.

‘The Committee commends the work of Belarusian civil society, independent media, human rights defenders, trade unions and other activists fighting for the cause of liberty and democracy. The Committee steadfastly supports the right of Belarusians to free and fair elections and a future free from authoritarian rule and the malign influence of external forces,” the report reads.

The next step is putting the issue of support for Belarusian civil society to a vote in the US Senate.

In late June, Belsat TV anchorman Ihar Kuley asked US Ambassador to Belarus Julie Fisher whether the United States was going to consider increasing the support for Belarusian civil society and independent media. According to the top diplomat, the US has provided an additional 20 million dollars of assistance in support of civil society and independent media since last August, trying to find a variety of ways to help civil society in the aftermath of last summer and its violence those who were forced to flee Belarus.

“I think there is room to do much more in support of Belarus and its aspirations. We are working very closely with Mrs Tsikhanouskaya and her team to develop ideas for the very best ways we can work and support for a more democratic Belarus her views are incredibly important on these questions We are working as well with our partners in Congress to make the funds available that would help advance this effort,” she added.

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