Alcee L. Hastings: Imposing US sanctions is choice of Belarusian authorities

“If the situation in Belarus were changed for the better, if political prisoners were released, media monopoly and pressure over independent editions were stopped, the sanctions would not be needed any more,” Congressman Alcee L. Hastings, Chairman of the US Helsinki Commission, said.

Congressman Alcee l. Hastings, Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), said in an exclusive interview to “Belorusy i Rynok” newspaper relations between the official Minsk and the US and the EU will improve after all political prisoners are released, really free parliamentary elections and democratic reforms are carried out.

– Many experts discuss a possibility of extension of the US sanctions on Belarus. In your opinion, is it possible?

– I devotedly hope that we won’t need to impose additional sanctions. Generally speaking, it is a choice of the Belarusian authorities. if the situation in Belarus were changed for the better, if violations of human rights and repressions against figures of the civil society were stopped, if democratic elections with equal opportunities for everyone were normal, if political prisoners were released, if media monopoly and pressure over independent editions were stopped, the sanctions would not be needed any more. Unfortunately, the Helsinki Commission receives daily reports on repressions in Belarus, especially against democratic activists... The conclusion is the following: if the situation in Belarus were getting better, the Democracy Reauthorization Act wouldn’t be needed...

– What are new provisions in the Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2008?

– The reauthorized draft law elevates provisions of the preceding one. First of all it is support of independent television, radio and the Internet; assistance to non-governmental organisations. Taking into account our legislative proceedings, it is hard to predict when this draft will pass the vote and become an acting law. Personally I will do my best for it to be adopted and extended until the democratic situation in Belarus will change for the better.

– How can the coming presidential elections in the USA influence the position towards Belarus?

– The Belarus Democracy Reauthorization Act of 2008 as the two previous acts is supported by both democrats and republicans. The US policy towards your country is based on a common approach. The Americans want to see Belarus an independent democratic country, closely cooperating with the EU. Thus the US position towards your country will be influenced not so much by our next president as by the steps taken by Belarus to form the free democratic society, where human rights and supreme of law are respected and separation of powers won’t be just fictional.

Democratic elections are of great importance, too. If the coming parliamentary elections in September demonstrate respect for rights of freedom of assembly, association, speech and equal opportunities for all candidates are created, it would be a step forward to the democratic development of your country.

– Mr Hastings, how could you comment on the recent statement by A. Lukashenka that there are no more political prisoners in the country?

– We think there are political prisoners in Belarus. Some of them were released in the beginning of the year, I welcomed this step and hoped it can lead to normalisation of our relations. But Alyaksandr Kazulin is still in prison, opposition activists Andrei Kim and Syarhei Parsyukevich have recently been convicted. The Minsk court has recently sentenced some young activists to imprisonment. We have to state: these facts can’t be regarded as encouraging, they don’t demonstrate the Belarusian authorities want to make the relations with the USA and the European Union better.

– What is your attitude towards the current situation with US citizen Emanuel Zeltser?

– I have recently spread a statement in the House of Representatives expressing concern about how US citizen Emanuel Zeltser is treated. I continue to urge the Belarusian authorities to provide him necessary medical care, proper treatment and access to a consul. I call to his immediate release on humanitarian grounds.