Ask Your Senators and Representatives to Co-sponsor the Belarus Democracy Act

Use this link to find your Representative and Senators:
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

Call your Senator

On December 5, 2023, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), and Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) of the Free Belarus Caucus introduced S. 3395 - Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2023.

We urge all Belarusian Americans and allies to contact their Senators and ask that they co-sponsor Senate Bill number 3395: the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2023.

Phone script

INTRODUCTION:

My name is [Insert Your Name]. I am a member of the Belarusian Community of [insert the name of your organization, if any] and a resident of [insert your state of residence].

I appreciate Senator [Senator’s last name] work on supporting democracy in Belarus.

REQUEST:

I am calling to ask Senator [Senator’s last name] to co-sponsor the Senate bill number 3395 - Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2023 introduced by Senators Shaheen, Wicker, and Durbin of the Free Belarus Caucus.

I would happily provide any additional information on this pressing issue. I would also appreciate the opportunity to discuss the importance of the Belarus Democracy Act 2023.

CLOSING:

Thank you for your attention. I hope Senator [Senator’s Last Name] can help with this. Please let me know if there are any updates about this. I appreciate your time.

Call your Representative

On May 8, 2024, Representative Smith (R-NJ) introduced the H.R.8329 - Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2024. The Bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Kaptur (D-OH), Kean (R-NJ), Keating (D-MA), and Wilson (R-SC) of the Friends of Belarus Caucus.

We urge all Belarusian Americans and allies to contact their Representatives and ask that they co-sponsor House Bill number 8329: the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2024.

Phone script

INTRODUCTION:

My name is [Insert Your Name]. I am a member of the Belarusian Community of [insert the name of your organization, if any] and a resident of [insert your state of residence].

I appreciate Representative [Senator’s last name] work on supporting democracy in Belarus.

REQUEST:

I am calling to ask Representative [Senator’s last name] to co-sponsor House bill number 8329 - Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2024 introduced in May 2024 by Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey and co-sponsored by Representatives Keating, Kean, Kaptur, and Wilson of the Friends of Belarus Caucus.

I would happily provide any additional information on this pressing issue. I would also appreciate the opportunity to discuss the importance of the Belarus Democracy Act 2024.

CLOSING:

Thank you for your attention. I hope Representative [Representative’s Last Name] can help with this. Please let me know if there are any updates about this. I appreciate your time.

Additional information

The Belarus Democracy Act is vital for Belarusian American Community members. This bill reauthorizes the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, recognizes the war crimes and human rights violations perpetrated by the illegitimate Lukashenka regime and supports the Belarusian people’s aspirations for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

BDA is aligned with the needs of the Belarusian American community and the U.S. government’s response to the challenges created by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s control of Belarus, political prisoners in Belarus, and the refusal of the Lukashenka government to provide consular passport services to Belarusian expatriates.

REASONS:

Fraudulent election: On August 9, 2020, the Government of Belarus conducted a presidential election that was fraudulent, did not meet international standards, and could not be monitored by independent observers. Independent election monitors recognized Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya as the legitimate winner of that election.

Crackdown on civil society: Thousands of Belarusians were arrested, harassed, and tortured for the peaceful expression of protest against the fraudulent election. Some died in police custody. Hundreds of thousands, including the internationally recognized winner of the 2020 election Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, were forced into exile.

Invasion of Ukraine: The Lukashenka government provided Russia with airbases, logistics, and supplies that allowed Russia to invade Ukraine from Belarusian territory and to shoot artillery and missiles from Belarusian territory into Ukraine. Belarusians who express protest against Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine are arrested, fined, and imprisoned.

Decree 278: On September 4, 2023, the regime in Belarus issued Decree 278. This decree bars Belarusians in other countries from getting most services from their embassy, and forces Belarusians abroad to go back to Belarus to renew their passports and get other important documents, an act that exposes many to arrest and imprisonment.

Updated on Oct 20, 2024; Nov 3, 2024: Shorter scripts for calling your Senators and Representatives.