Cichanoŭskaja discusses Belarus Democracy Act with US envoy 

January 11, Pozirk. Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja discussed amendments to Belarus Democracy Act with Mark Brzezinski, the United States Ambassador to Poland.

The amended version may be adopted in early 2024, Franak Viačorka, an aide to Belarusian opposition leader, told Pozirk.

Cichanoŭskaja and Brzezinski met on January 10 in Warsaw to summarize the recent strategic dialogue between the US and the Belarusian pro-democracy forces.

They also discussed the 2024 US strategy regarding Belarus, including the appointment of a special envoy and coordination of further moves with the European Union, Canada and the United Kingdom.

On the same day, the politician also held a closed briefing for Polish officials and military and security officers, sounding alarm over Russia’s attempts to absorb Belarus through colonization and Russification, stressing the need for supporting efforts to assert Belarusian national identity.

Adopted in 2004, Belarus Democracy Act was amended in 2006, 2011 and 2020, demonstrating consistent US support for an independent, sovereign and democratic Belarus.

The Act allows the US to sanction Alaksandar Łukašenka and his cronies, assist Belarusian civil society, independent media, and opposition activists, as well as coordinate the US policy toward Belarus with other countries.