Jeanne Shaheen

I hope you will take a look at this.

The pursuit of democracy, freedom, and improved human rights in Belarus is in the interests of not only the Belarusian people but of the government itself.

We do not recognize these results, and therefore engaging in the business-as-usual diplomatic relations with a government that is headed by a leader whom we do not recognize is hard to imagine.

The integrity of the elections was so flawed and so bad that it requires that election to be held again.

I think Congress can play a role to ensure that the assistance package for Belarus be robust.

I certainly agree with what both of you are--really, everybody who has testified has said about the importance of a coordinated effort between the United States and the EU to address what is happening in Belarus.

We will continue on this committee and in the Senate to watch very closely what happens and to do everything we can to try and address the repression that you are experiencing.

We have to stand with them. They face tremendously adverse circumstances there.

I certainly would agree with and think that makes sense.

I hope the Congress will move forward with quickly, and that, too, would send a signal of both support.

Bringing someone like Natalia to testify before the U.S. Senate is a wonderful thing to do.

What a shame for a European leader to make such a statement.

I think the Senate recognizes the ability to use sports in a way that makes a statement.

Thank you, Madam Chairman.

They are going to remain peaceful and work through political means that they can inside and outside the system.

We owe it to the Belarusian people to continue supporting them in this critical pursuit.

Do we expect them to do that?

What led the regime to choose not to take that path and use brutality we cannot answer for sure.

The immediate release of opposition candidates, party leaders, and civil society members must be the first step and should occur without delay.

The united front from the EU and the United States I think is very important.

The pursuit of sanctions, asset freezes, and a ban on travel by the regime and those involved in the latest crackdown are intended to compel the government to treat its people fairly.

We would like to believe that past sanctions actually led them to think about and ultimately release political prisoners.

This subcommittee stands firmly behind Secretary Clinton and calls on the Lukashenko regime to release all political prisoners immediately and without preconditions.

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