{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020","description":"

Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020

This bill expands the President's authority to impose sanctions related to Belarus to include activities surrounding the disputed 2020 Belarusian presidential election and subsequent government crackdown. The bill also expands authorized assistance to Belarus.

The President may impose visa-blocking sanctions on any alien who (1) is a member of the Central Election Commission of Belarus or assisted in the manipulation of the August 9, 2020, presidential election, (2) is a government official responsible for the crackdown on independent media, (3) is an official of the Union State (an international organization consisting of Belarus and Russia), or (4) is a Russian individual who has significantly participated in the crackdown on the press or human rights abuses related to political repression in Belarus. (The President already has authority to impose such sanctions on certain aliens, such as senior leaders in the government of Belarus.)

The bill also expands authorized assistance related to Belarus to include assistance to (1) counter internet censorship and surveillance technology, (2) support the work of women advocating for freedom and human rights, and (3) support political refugees fleeing the crackdown in Belarus.

","legislationIdentifier":"HR 8438","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Christopher H. Smith","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/christopherh-smith-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"International Affairs"},"keywords":"Belarus, Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies, Canada, Cardiovascular and respiratory health, Computers and information technology, Congressional oversight, Detention of persons, Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad, Elections, voting, political campaign regulation, Emergency medical services and trauma care, Energy storage, supplies, demand, Europe, European Union, Foreign aid and international relief, Foreign and international corporations, Foreign language and bilingual programs, Foreign property, Government lending and loan guarantees, Historical and cultural resources, Human rights, Infectious and parasitic diseases, Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information, International exchange and broadcasting, International organizations and cooperation, Internet and video services, Internet, web applications, social media, Military operations and strategy, National symbols, News media and reporting, Protest and dissent, Refugees, asylum, displaced persons, Religion, Russia, Sanctions, Small business, Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status, Subversive activities, United Kingdom, U.S. and foreign investments, Visas and passports, Women's rights","dateModified":"2025-05-28T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-116-HR-8438"}

Christopher H. Smith

Christopher H. Smith

Foreign Affairs Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee