Opposition leader lobbies for sanctions against Łukašenka in Washington
John Bass, the US undersecretary of state for political affairs
June 12, Pozirk. High-level US officials assured Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja that Washington’s policy towards Belarus will remain consistent and principled, her aide Franak Viačorka has told Pozirk.
The US intends to continue strategic dialogue with Belarus’ pro-democracy forces launched in December 2023, he added.
The Belarusian politician called for “searching for and freezing [Alaksandar] Łukašenka’s assets in other countries, including the United Arab Emirates,” Viačorka said, commenting on her meeting with G7 countries envoys and representatives of prominent US-based think tanks.
The diplomats reportedly suggested launching a major campaign to highlight the plight of Belarus’ political prisoners.
The politician’s meeting with John Bass, the US undersecretary of state for political affairs, and Christopher Smith, deputy assistant secretary for Eastern Europe, focused on ways to help political prisoners in Belarus, support for the Belarusian independent media and reprisal victims as well as visa facilitation.
Cichanoŭskaja promoted the international humanitarian foundation helping Belarusian political prisoners that she set up a few weeks ago with the support of Norway and Sweden.
The politician also met with Representative Nancy Pelosi, Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Dick Durbin and Peter Welch. The Belarusian opposition leader is visiting the US from June 11 to 13.
Cichanoŭskaja welcomes new edition of Belarus Democracy Act
June 9, Pozirk. Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja has welcomed the introduction of a new edition of Belarus Democracy Act in the US legislature. "This important bill, currently under consideration in the House of Representatives, further emphasizes our sovereignty & …