An Act to provide for the promotion of democracy, human rights, and rule of law in the Republic of Belarus and for the consolidation and strengthening of Belarus sovereignty and independence.
Enacted by
the 108th United States Congress
Citations
Public law
Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 108–347 (text) (PDF)
Legislative history
Introduced in the House as H.R. 854 by Chris Smith (R-NJ) on February 13, 2003
Committee consideration by International Relations, Judiciary and Financial Services
Passed the House on October 4, 2004 (Voice vote)
Passed the Senate on October 6, 2004 (Unanimous consent)
Signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 20, 2004
The Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 is a United States federal law that authorizes assistance for political parties, non-governmental organizations, and independent media working to advance democracy and human rights in Belarus.[1] The act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, by voice vote, on October 4, 2004; was passed by the U.S. Senate, by unanimous consent, on October 6, 2004; and was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 20, 2004.[2] It is codified, as amended, at 22 U.S.C. 5811 note.[3]
The law expresses the sense of Congress that the Belarusian authorities should not receive various types of non-humanitarian financial aid from the U.S. It also calls for the President to report to Congress on arms sales by Belarus to state sponsors of terrorism and on the personal wealth and assets of senior Belarus officials.[1]
The U.S., said President Bush in his signing statement of October 20, 2004, "will work with our allies and partners to assist those seeking to return Belarus to its rightful place among the Euro-Atlantic community of democracies."[4]
All three bills were introduced by Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey.[5]
Earlier versions of the act that were introduced in 2001 and 2003 but not enacted into law were more severe, prohibiting travel of Belarusian officials, freezing assets, blocking certain trade, and referring to the role of Russia.[6]
^ ab"Press Release: President Bush Signs Belarus Democracy Act on Heels of Rigged Elections and Referendum". CSCE. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
^"Actions - H.R.854 - 108th Congress (2003-2004): Belarus Democracy Act of 2004". www.congress.gov. 20 October 2004. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
^"22 U.S. Code § 5811". LII / Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
^Bush, President George W. "Statement on the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Text Only)". georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
^"House Session | C-SPAN.org".
^"Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act Passes US Congress Committee". Belarus Digest. April 19, 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
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