Congressman Hakeem Jeffries: US steps regarding Belarus are not enough

• 21.03.2014, 8:56

An American congressman has addressed the United States Secretary of State John Kerry.

The letter, which was sent after a meeting with representatives of the Union of Belarusian Youth in the USA, Hakeem Jeffries expresses his “serious concert” about the growing human rights crisis in Belarus and the trampling of democratic values, says the press service of the organising committee to create the Belarusian Christian Democracy party.

The congressman notes Lukashenka has limited many rights, including the freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and religion. The government restricts people from voicing their thoughts by limiting information distribution to state-controlled television channels and radio broadcasts.

“Belarusians who voice opposition to the government are at times suppressed in a violent manner,” Hakeem Jeffries wrote.

The congressman writes the steps of the US regarding Belarus are not enough. He recalls that in 2010, former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised to review the relationship with Belarus and perhaps determine the appropriateness of additional action.

“The United States must thoroughly conduct this review, address the country's need for election reform and help to ensure essential democratic protections for all Belarusian citizens,” the congressman underlines.