Ask Your Senators to Co-sponsor the Belarus Democracy Act of 2023

On December 5, 2023, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) of the Free Belarus Caucus introduced S. 3395 - Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2023. This bill reauthorizes the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004, recognizes the war crimes and human rights violations perpetrated by the illegitimate Lukashenka regime, and expands the support of the aspirations of the people of Belarus for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law by the U.S. government.

BDA 2023 is well aligned with the needs and petitions of the Belarusian American community, including the June 2023 policy proposal and the April 2022 petition by the Belarus Freedom Forum, and enables the U.S. government to respond to the new challenges created by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the refusal of the Lukashenka government to provide passport services to Belarusian expatriates.

We urge all Belarusian Americans and allies: please contact your Senators and ask that they co-sponsor S. 3395 - Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2023.

Call Script

INTRODUCTION:

Hello, I’m [Your Name], and I live in [Your City or Town], [Your State]. I am calling about the severe political repression in Belarus, including over 1,400 political prisoners in a population of 9.2 million (in the U.S. that would equal 49,000 political prisoners). I ask Senator [Senator’s Last Name] to co-sponsor Senate Bill 3395 - Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2023. The bill supports the aspirations of the people of Belarus for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

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.

REQUEST:

I’m asking Senator [Senator’s Last Name] to join as a co-sponsor of the S. 3395 - Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2023.

CLOSING:

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