Sec. 4. Assistance to promote democracy, civil society, and sovereignty in Belarus
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Section 4 of the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 ( Public Law 108–347 ; 22 U.S.C. 5811 note) is amended— in subsection (a)— in paragraph (1), by inserting “, the United Transitional Cabinet, and the Coordination Council” after “the Republic of Belarus”; and by adding at the end the following: To assist in the cessation of Belarus’ support for the Government of Russia in Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine. ; in subsection (b), by adding at the end before the period the following “, including political party strengthening”; by amending subsection
(c)to read as follows: Activities that may be supported by assistance under subsection
(b)include— expanding independent radio and television broadcasting to and within Belarus; facilitating the development of independent broadcast, print, and internet media working within Belarus and from locations outside the country and supported by nonstate-controlled printing facilities; countering internet censorship and repressive surveillance technology that seek to limit free association, control access to information, and prevent citizens from exercising their rights to free speech; raising awareness both within Belarus and globally about Lukashenka’s complicity in Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, including how the Lukashenka regime is providing support to the Russian military and committing crimes against Ukrainian children; aiding the development of civil society through assistance to nongovernmental organizations promoting democracy and supporting human rights, including youth groups, entrepreneurs, and independent trade unions; supporting programming that contributes to the defense of Belarusian sovereignty and independence from encroachment by the Russian Federation; supporting the work of human rights defenders; enhancing the development of democratic political parties; assisting the promotion of free, fair, and transparent electoral processes; enhancing international exchanges and advanced professional training programs for leaders and members of the democratic opposition in skill areas central to the development of civil society; supporting the work of women advocating for freedom, human rights, and human progress in Belarus given the significant and vital role women have played in the Belarus democracy movement; supporting the development of Belarusian language and cultural education and exchanges to preserve and protect Belarusian national identity; supporting further iterations of the Strategic Dialogue between the United States and the Belarusian democratic opposition and civil society as a platform to work on issues of mutual concern; enhancing the development of the private sector, particularly the information technology sector, and its role in the economy of Belarus, including by increasing the capacity of private sector actors, developing business support organizations, offering entrepreneurship training, and expanding access to finance for small and medium enterprises; supporting political refugees in neighboring European countries fleeing the crackdown in Belarus; supporting the education of Belarusians in exile; supporting the gathering of evidence on and investigating of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights in Belarus; and other activities consistent with the purposes of this Act. ; in subsection (f)— by striking “the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020” and inserting “the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2024”; and by adding at the end before the period the following: as well as the methodology and benchmarks used to assess the effectiveness of such funds ; and by amending subsection
(g)to read as follows: There are authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry out this section— for fiscal year 2025 an amount equal to not less than the amount made available to carry out this section for fiscal year 2024; and for fiscal year 2026 an amount equal to not less than the amount made available to carry out this section for fiscal year 2025. .
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- Pub. L. 108-347
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Sec. 4
Assistance to promote democracy, civil society, and sovereignty in Belarus
Pub. L.Pub. L. 108-347
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