Belarus Democracy Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-854
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2003-02-13 in the House
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
Printing
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: 2003-02-13
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.
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.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: 
Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) 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 FY 2005 and 2006 appropriations for such activities.
 
(Sec. 4) Authorizes FY 2005 and 2006 appropriations for indigenous-language radio broadcasting to Belarus.
 
(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that specified U.S. and multilateral loan and financial sanctions (with humanitarian, agricultural, or medical exceptions) should apply to Belarus until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Belarus has made significant progress in meeting the following conditions: (1) release of individuals who have been jailed for political or religious beliefs; (2) withdrawal of politically motivated legal charges against all opposition figures and independent journalists; (3) accounting of the disappearances of opposition leaders and journalists, including Victor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, Yuri Zakharenka, and Dmitry Zavadsky, and the prosecution of responsible individuals; (4) cessation of harassment and repression against the independent media, independent trade unions, nongovernmental organizations, religious organizations, and the political opposition; and (5) implementation of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections. 
(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should seek a multilateral strategy, particularly with the countries of Europe, to further the purposes of this Act. 
(Sec. 7) Directs the President to report with respect to: (1) weapons-related activities by Belarus; and (2) the personal wealth of Aleksander Lukashenka and other senior leadership. 
(Sec. 8) Declares congressional policy: (1) respecting the persecution and disappearance of journalists and political opponents in Belarus; and (2) commending the democratic opposition in Belarus. 
(Sec. 9) Defines specified terms.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on October 4, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) 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 FY 2005 and 2006 appropriations for such activities. 
 
(Sec. 4) Authorizes FY 2005 and 2006 appropriations for indigenous-language radio broadcasting to Belarus.
 
 (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that specified U.S. and multilateral loan and financial sanctions (with humanitarian, agricultural, or medical exceptions) should apply to Belarus until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Belarus has made significant progress in meeting the following conditions: (1) release of individuals who have been jailed for political or religious beliefs; (2) withdrawal of politically motivated legal charges against all opposition figures and independent journalists; (3) accounting of the disappearances of opposition leaders and journalists, including Victor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, Yuri Zakharenka, and Dmitry Zavadsky, and the prosecution of responsible individuals; (4) cessation of harassment and repression against the independent media, independent trade unions, nongovernmental organizations, religious organizations, and the political opposition; and (5) implementation of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections.
 
(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should seek a multilateral strategy, particularly with the countries of Europe, to further the purposes of this Act. 
 
(Sec. 7) Directs the President to report with respect to: (1) weapons-related activities by Belarus; and (2) the personal wealth of Aleksandr Lukashenka and other senior leadership. 
 
(Sec. 8) Declares congressional policy: (1) respecting the persecution and disappearance of journalists and political opponents in Belarus; and (2) commending the democratic opposition in Belarus. 
 
(Sec. 9) Defines specified terms. 

action_date: 2004-10-20
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on October 4, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) 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 FY 2005 and 2006 appropriations for such activities. 
 
(Sec. 4) Authorizes FY 2005 and 2006 appropriations for indigenous-language radio broadcasting to Belarus.
 
 (Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of Congress that specified U.S. and multilateral loan and financial sanctions (with humanitarian, agricultural, or medical exceptions) should apply to Belarus until the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Belarus has made significant progress in meeting the following conditions: (1) release of individuals who have been jailed for political or religious beliefs; (2) withdrawal of politically motivated legal charges against all opposition figures and independent journalists; (3) accounting of the disappearances of opposition leaders and journalists, including Victor Gonchar, Anatoly Krasovsky, Yuri Zakharenka, and Dmitry Zavadsky, and the prosecution of responsible individuals; (4) cessation of harassment and repression against the independent media, independent trade unions, nongovernmental organizations, religious organizations, and the political opposition; and (5) implementation of free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections.
 
(Sec. 6) Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should seek a multilateral strategy, particularly with the countries of Europe, to further the purposes of this Act. 
 
(Sec. 7) Directs the President to report with respect to: (1) weapons-related activities by Belarus; and (2) the personal wealth of Aleksander Lukashenka and other senior leadership. 
 
(Sec. 8) Declares congressional policy: (1) respecting the persecution and disappearance of journalists and political opponents in Belarus; and (2) commending the democratic opposition in Belarus. 
 
(Sec. 9) Defines specified terms. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-20
text: Became Public Law No: 108-347.
action_date: 2004-10-20
text: Became Public Law No: 108-347.
action_date: 2004-10-20
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-10-20
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2004-10-12
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-10-12
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 10/7/2004 S10612-10613)
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR 10/7/2004 S10612-10613)
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7989-7990)
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7989-7990)
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 854.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7989-7992)
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Mrs. Davis, Jo Ann moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2004-02-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-06-24
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1338)
action_date: 2003-05-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E920)
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-04-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Europe.
action_date: 2003-03-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
action_date: 2003-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
action_date: 2003-02-13
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-02-13
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-02-13
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-02-13
text: Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2003-02-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E241-242)
action_date: 2003-02-13
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-02-13
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 108-347