Meet with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of Democratic Belarus

We American friends of democratic Belarus thank you for your support of the Belarusian people in your meetings with U.S. allies, friends, and partners as well as for your administration’s actions to increase sanctions against the Lukashenka regime and his enablers. Last fall, you said regarding Belarus, “No leader who tortures his own people can ever claim legitimacy” and “I will continue to join Svetlana Tikhanovskaya and the people of Belarus in calling for the peaceful transfer of power, the release of all political prisoners, and free and fair elections.” We urge you to meet with Ms. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the leader of Belarusian democratic forces who beat Aliaksandr Lukashenka in the presidential election on August 9th, 2020, during her visit to Washington, D.C. the week of July 18th, 2021. Meeting with Ms. Tsikhanouskaya will demonstrate American solidarity with the Belarusian people who are fighting for liberty and democracy against the brutal tyranny of the Lukashenka regime. It will also communicate clearly to Lukashenka and those who support him that the United States will stand firmly against human rights abuses in Belarus and support the democratic aspirations of its people. Mr. President, many of us have experienced life under autocratic rule. We know what it is like to be deprived of rights and freedoms. As Americans, we believe it is a moral obligation of the United States to protect human rights and support those who fight for democracy. The Belarusian people have already paid an enormous price to make their voices heard. We cannot just look the other way. We hope you will meet with Ms. Tsikhanouskaya.

▶ Created on July 20, 2021 by Belarusian-American Community