English

US senators call for strong US-EU response to Belarus' post-election situation

A bipartisan coalition of United States senators on Thursday sent a letter to Catherine Ashton, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, urging a strong, principled joint US-EU response to the Belarusian government’s post-election crackdown on opponents.

In the letter, US Senators Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Jeanne Shaheen, Richard Lugar, Richard Durbin and Robert Casey call for transatlantic cooperation to secure the immediate release of all former presidential candidates and other opposition figures held in the KGB detention center; impose targeted sanctions on the Lukashenka regime and, “where warranted, family members;” and increase support for the Belarusian people, including political and civil society groups.

"In particular, we urge the European Union to join the United States in prohibiting business with Belneftekhim, a state-controlled conglomerate that is critical to the financial well-being of President Lukashenko’s regime," the senators said. "Since the European Union constitutes the primary market for Belneftekhim, joint EU-U.S. sanctions would send a powerful message to President Lukashenko that the transatlantic community will no longer tolerate his brutal practices and policies."

“Through violence, repression, and outright fraud, the Lukashenko regime has once again confirmed its brutal, dictatorial character and made a mockery of democracy,” said Senator Joe Lieberman. “We urge our European partners to join together with the United States in reaffirming our shared conviction that the Belarusian people deserve the freedom to choose their future for themselves.”

“The Lukashenko regime is the main impediment to the long-standing vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace,” said Mr. McCain. “The transatlantic alliance must be indivisible in supporting the people of Belarus in realizing their peaceful democratic aspirations.”

“The continued detention of political and civil society leaders and the use of violence against peaceful protestors are deplorable on any continent,” said Jeanne Shaheen, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs. "The Lukashenko regime must halt its authoritarian crackdown and free its political prisoners immediately without conditions. It is critical that the U.S. and Europe stand together as partners to advance the cause of democracy in Belarus and stand side-by-side with the Belarusian people."

“The violence and brutality carried out by authorities in Belarus since the presidential election is deplorable,” said Richard Lugar. “Forging a unified response with our allies and partners in Europe will be essential.”

“The U.S government and European Union have emphatically called for the unconditional release of all detained opposition leaders. Last week in Minsk, I reiterated that call,” said Richard Durbin. “The Belarusian government must release all detainees and resume the path toward democracy. If Belarus expects to be part of the world community and expects an improvement of relations with the West, basic human rights and electoral standards must be respected.”

"The U.S. and Europe need to stand in solidarity with courageous democracy and human rights activists who have struggled for too long in Belarus, the last dictatorship in Europe,” said Robert Casey. “We need to support these individuals during this dark time in the history of Belarus."