Expressing support for the efforts of the people of the Republic of Belarus to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and urging the Government of Belarus to conduct a free and fair presidential election on March 19, 2006.

Bill: 109-hres-673
Sponsor: Rep. Shimkus, John [R-IL-19]
Introduced: 2006-02-14 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Belarus
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Civil actions and liability
Commerce
Crime and Law Enforcement
Democracy
Denmark
Economic assistance
Election administration
Election candidates
Estonia
Europe
Finland
Free enterprise
Freedom of association
Freedom of the press
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
International agencies
Latvia
Law
Libel and slander
Licenses
Lithuania
Mass media
Nongovernmental organizations
Norway
Opposition (Political science)
Political advertising
Political participation
Political parties
Political persecution
Press and politics
Prosecution
Right of assembly
Rule of law
Science, Technology, Communications
Sweden
Tax auditing
Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2006-02-14
text: 
 States that a precondition for the integration of Belarus into the Western community of nations is its establishment of a genuinely democratic political system.
 
Expresses support for the efforts of the Belarusian people to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Belarus. 
 
Urges the government of Belarus to: (1) guarantee freedom of association and assembly, and (2) meet its Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) standards and commitments on democratic elections.
 
Urges the Belarusian authorities to ensure: (1) transparency procedures for the 2006 presidential election; (2) election monitor access; (3) multiparty representation on all election commissions; (4) media access by all parties and candidates; (5) freedom of candidates, members of opposition parties, and independent media organizations from government harassment; and (6) prosecution of election law violators. 
 
 Encourages the international community to continue efforts to support democracy in Belarus and urges countries such as Lithuania and other Baltic countries and Nordic countries to continue to provide assistance to nongovernmental organizations and other Belarusian organizations involved in promoting democracy and fair elections. 
 
Pledges support to the Belarusian people, their commitment to a democratic system and creation of a free market economy, and their country's assumption of its place as a full and equal member of the Western community of democracies. 

action_date: 2006-03-08
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
States that a precondition for the integration of Belarus into the Western community of nations is its establishment of a genuinely democratic political system.
 
Expresses support for the efforts of the Belarusian people to establish a full democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Belarus. 
 
Urges the government of Belarus to: (1) guarantee freedom of association and assembly, and (2) meet its Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) standards and commitments on democratic elections.
 
Urges the Belarusian authorities to ensure: (1) transparency procedures for the 2006 presidential election; (2) election monitor access; (3) multiparty representation on all election commissions; (4) media access by all parties and candidates; (5) freedom of candidates, members of opposition parties, and independent media organizations from government harassment; and (6) prosecution of election law violators. 
 
 Encourages the international community to continue efforts to support democracy in Belarus and urges countries such as Lithuania and other Baltic countries and Nordic countries to continue to provide assistance to nongovernmental organizations and other Belarusian organizations involved in promoting democracy and fair elections. 
 
Pledges support to the Belarusian people, their commitment to a democratic system and creation of a free market economy, and their country's assumption of its place as a full and equal member of the Western community of democracies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-03-08
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-03-08
text: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 1, 2 Present (Roll no. 25). (text: CR H699-700)
action_date: 2006-03-08
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 419 - 1, 2 Present (Roll no. 25).(text: CR H699-700)
action_date: 2006-03-08
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H738)
action_date: 2006-03-08
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2006-03-08
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H. Res. 673.
action_date: 2006-03-08
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H699-702)
action_date: 2006-03-08
text: Mr. Smith (NJ) moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution.
action_date: 2006-02-14
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2006-02-14
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2006-02-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats.
action_date: 2006-02-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2006-02-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-02-14
text: Introduced in House