As your constituents, we are seeking the support of the United States government in light of the recent human rights crisis and significant deterioration of the situation in Belarus. We appreciate the U.S. support to date along with the recent acknowledgement that the presidential election in Belarus were neither free, nor fair.

Based on independent observers’ reports, backed by video and audio recordings, election results were blatantly falsified. Following the announcement of contested preliminary election results, peaceful protests throughout Belarus prompted an exceptionally brutal crackdown by the security forces. Even more disturbing are the reports of ill-treatment and torture during and after detention. Hundreds of people have been injured and multiple protesters died during the protests and in police custody. Journalists covering the demonstrations have been harassed, attacked, and detained. Additionally, internet shutdowns during protests amount to a severe curtailment of the right of freedom of expression.

Given blatant human rights violations described above, we are urgently calling on you to:

1. Condemn a violent crackdown by Belarusian authorities as well as torture against peaceful protests that resulted in the loss of life of several citizens as well as >10,000 detained, hundreds of gravely injured, and >90 people missing.

2. Appeal to the Belarusian authorities to ensure that the fundamental right of peaceful assembly is fully respected and call for the immediate release of all political detainees.

3. Support Belarusian people by declaring Svetlana Tikhanovskaya as a new president-elect and/ or calling for new free and fair elections.

In case the appeals above are not met, we are asking you to urgently work with the White House to enhance Executive Order 13405 as well as reauthorize and further amend Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act of 2011 (H.R.515) that previously targeted democracy and human rights abuses:

1. Institute an asset freeze and travel ban on all human rights violators in Belarus, work with Belarusian human rights groups to compile lists of such violators.

2. Expedite your review of global sanctions regime to address serious human rights violations under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.

3. Immediately cease all financial, charitable and technical assistance to the Government of Belarus led by A. Lukashenko as well as impose a strict import ban on products made by state-owned enterprises in order to prevent financing of the repressive apparatus in Belarus.

4. Avoid strengthening of the diplomatic ties with Belarus by preventing the U.S. ambassador to Belarus, appointed for the first time in over a decade, from being dispatched there.

Please stand with the majority of Americans in supporting free and fair elections and continued growth of democratic movements and institutions in Belarus. Please advocate for Belarus and add this matter to your policy platform.

Thank you!