Belarus Democracy Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-700
Sponsor: Sen. Campbell, Ben Nighthorse [R-CO]
Introduced: 2003-03-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Administration of justice
Admission of nonimmigrants
Aliens
American investments
Armed Forces and National Security
Arms sales
Arts, Culture, Religion
Belarus
Censorship
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commemorations
Computer software
Computers
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Congressional tributes
Crime and Law Enforcement
Cultural relations
Democracy
Development credit institutions
Diplomacy
Dissenters
Due process of law
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Election administration
Employee rights
Europe
Exchange of persons programs
Export controls
Export finance
Families
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign leaders
Foreign loans
Free trade
Freedom of association
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Government Operations and Politics
Government officials
Higher education
Human rights
Immigration
International broadcasting
International cooperation
International monetary system
International relief
Investment guaranty insurance
Labor and Employment
Labor unions
Language and languages
Law
Leadership
Licenses
Military and naval supplies
Missing persons
Nongovernmental organizations
Opposition (Political science)
Parliamentary government
Pluralism (Social sciences)
Police
Political parties
Political persecution
Political prisoners
Political violence
President and foreign policy
Presidential elections
Prisons
Privileges and immunities
Professional education
Prosecution
Public corruption
Radio broadcasting
Religion
Religious liberty
Reporters and reporting
Right of assembly
Russia
Sanctions (International law)
Science, Technology, Communications
Sovereignty
Standards
State-sponsored terrorism
Tariff preferences
Technology transfer
Television broadcasting
Visas
Wealth

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-25
text: 
Belarus Democracy Act of 2003 - Authorizes the President to support primarily indigenous Belarusian groups that are committed to the support of democratic processes in various activities that may include: (1) observation of elections and the promotion of free and fair electoral processes, including the development of democratic political parties; (2) development of independent media supported by nonstate-controlled printing facilities; (3) support of human rights; and (4) establishment of international exchanges and advanced professional training programs for leaders and members of democratic forces that foster the growth of civil society.
 
Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year for Voice of America and RFE/RL, Incorporated (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty) for radio broadcasting to the people of Belarus in languages spoken in that country.
 
Places economic sanctions on Belarus and bars senior Belarusian leaders and their immediate relations from entering the United States. Allows sanctions to be lifted only if the Belarusian Government meets specific democratic conditions. Affirms solidarity with the democratic forces in Belarus and calls upon the Government of Belarus to permit basic freedoms and allow free, fair and transparent presidential and parliamentary elections. Calls upon the Russian Government to use its influence to encourage democratic development in Belarus so that it can become an independent state that is integrated into Europe.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-03-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3173)
action_date: 2003-03-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced:  CR S4379-4380)
action_date: 2003-03-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4378-4379)
action_date: 2003-03-25
text: Introduced in Senate