Derecognize Lukashenka and recognize Tsikhanouskaya

Derecognize Lukashenka and recognize Tsikhanouskaya due to the Russian occupation of Belarus The Belarusian Americans stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and condemn Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. We grieve for the innocent victims and denounce the atrocities and genocide committed by the Russian military in Ukraine. We also condemn the co-conspiracy of the Lukashenka regime to attack Ukraine and allow the Russian troops to use the territory of Belarus for the invasion. We call on the Biden-Harris administration and the U.S. Congress to: Declare and recognize the Republic of Belarus is illegally occupied by Russia and demand the complete withdrawal of the Russian troops from Belarus; Declare and recognize Lukashenka and the current government of Belarus to be a puppet government controlled by Russia and lacking any legitimacy both nationally and internationally; Actively advocate for international derecognition of Lukashenka and his government as the legitimate governing body of Belarus, especially with respect to international organizations the United States is a part of, including but not limited to the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary, etc.; Denounce and refuse to recognize any international treaties or agreements Lukashenka and his government will attempt to enter; Facilitate the prosecution of Lukashenka as a co-perpetrator of war crimes and acts of terrorism against the Ukrainian people; Recognize Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya as the legitimate Head of the Republic of Belarus. The Russia-sponsored Lukashenka regime has rested on gross human rights abuse, propaganda, intimidation, and a powerful security apparatus to maintain control of the country for 27 years. To remain in power following the 2020 presidential elections, Lukashenka falsified the election results, brutally suppressed the peaceful protests, and cracked down on the civil society and independent media in Belarus with direct assistance from Putin’s Russia in exchange for more Russia’s control over Belarus. The weakened and vulnerable Lukashenka regime created an opportunity for Russia's takeover of Belarus and invited a Russian occupation of Belarus in preparation for the war in Ukraine. The Russian invasion of Ukraine became a culmination of establishing Russian control over the Lukashenka government. Belarusian people actively oppose the Russian war against Ukraine, the invasion of Ukraine from the Belarusian territory, the presence of Russian troops in Belarus, and the illegal Russian-sponsored Lukashenka regime that takes part in Russian aggression against Ukraine in violation of the Belarusian Constitution. To guarantee lawful representation and fill the void of leadership for the Belarusian people, we ask to recognize Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a lawfully elected leader, as the legitimate head of the Republic of Belarus until free and fair elections would take place in liberated Belarus.