At this time, we rejoice, together with Belarusians the world over, Belarus Freedom Day. This present day highlights the democratic legacy of the primary impartial Belarusian state, established in 1918 after 150 years of Russian occupation.
Regardless of the Lukashenka regime’s complicity in Russia’s conflict in opposition to Ukraine, courageous Belarusians proceed to face up for an impartial, secure, and democratic future for Belarus. Within the face of the Lukashenka regime’s brutal and systemic crackdown on all sectors of Belarusian society the Belarusian democratic motion and civil society nonetheless courageously push ahead for a free Belarus.
Yesterday, the USA took motion to carry the Lukashenka regime to account for its human rights abuses in opposition to the Belarusian folks and for facilitating the Russian Federation’s unconscionable conflict in opposition to Ukraine. The U.S. Division of the Treasury introduced sanctions actions focusing on state-owned enterprises and people who present help to the regime’s brutality. On the identical time, we introduced actions to impose visa restrictions on an extra 14 people beneath Presidential Proclamation 8015 for his or her involvement in undermining democracy.
We’re additionally taking steps to bolster our help of a democratic Belarus. The U.S. authorities’s intends to launch a complete Strategic Dialogue protecting related subjects of mutual curiosity with the Belarusian democratic motion and civil society.
On Belarus Freedom Day, we reaffirm the long-standing coverage of the USA to help a democratic, sovereign, and secure Belarus. This dedication is unwavering, bipartisan, and firmly rooted within the values of our nation. The Biden Administration wholeheartedly helps this coverage, as have all U.S. Presidents for greater than 30 years.
We dedicate today to the liberty of the almost 1,500 political prisoners of the Lukashenka regime and to the liberty of all Belarusians, who should create their very own future, freed from Lukashenka’s repression and Putin’s coercion.