The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a bill to support democracy and human rights in Belarus. The Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011, approved on July 6, calls for the release of all political prisoners and refuses to recognize the results of December’s presidential election, widely seen as fraudulent. The legislation affirms that President should continue to support radio, television and Internet broadcasting into Belarus by Belsat TV and also Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, The Voice of America and European Radio for Belarus.
This decision is a confirmation of a new political line of the United States in the areas of democracy and human rights in Belarus. Earlier this year President Barack Obama addressed Belsat TV Director Agnieszka Romaszewska-Guzy with words:” We are proud of what you are doing!” The Belsat TV Director was introduced to the American leader by Polish President Bronisław Komorowski during a “meeting with Polish democrats” held at the presidential palace in May. It was attended by leading Polish politicians and representatives of the former anti- Communist opposition and of organizations engaged today in the defence of human rights. The Belsat TV director asked President Obama to remember that repression aimed at political opponents of Alexander Lukashenka’s regime is still taking place today. She also expressed the hope that the president’s words of support for Belsat would translate with time into actual cooperation. Is it the time already?
