Belarus Democracy Act of 2004

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{{Infobox U.S. legislation

| shorttitle = Belarus Democracy Act of 2004

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| longtitle = An Act to provide for the promotion of democracy, human rights, and rule of law in the Republic of Belarus and for the consolidation and strengthening of Belarus sovereignty and independence.

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| enacted by = 108th

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| cite public law = {{uspl|108|347}}

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| leghisturl = https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/854

| introducedin = House

| introducedbill = {{USBill|108|H.R.|854}}

| introducedby = Chris Smith (R-NJ)

| introduceddate = February 13, 2003

| committees = International Relations, Judiciary and Financial Services

| passedbody1 = House

| passeddate1 = October 4, 2004

| passedvote1 = Voice vote

| passedbody2 = Senate

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| passeddate2 = October 6, 2004

| passedvote2 = Unanimous consent

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| signedpresident = George W. Bush

| signeddate = October 20, 2004

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The Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 is a United States federal law that authorizes assistance for political parties, non-governmental organizations, and independent media working to advance democracy and human rights in Belarus.{{cite web |title=Press Release: President Bush Signs Belarus Democracy Act on Heels of Rigged Elections and Referendum |url=https://www.csce.gov/international-impact/press-and-media/press-releases/president-bush-signs-belarus-democracy-act-heels |website=CSCE |accessdate=15 February 2019 |language=en |date=8 March 2016}} The act was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, by voice vote, on October 4, 2004; was passed by the U.S. Senate, by unanimous consent, on October 6, 2004; and was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 20, 2004.{{cite web |title=Actions - H.R.854 - 108th Congress (2003-2004): Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/854/actions |website=www.congress.gov |accessdate=13 February 2019 |date=20 October 2004}} It is codified, as amended, at 22 U.S.C. 5811 note.{{cite web |title=22 U.S. Code § 5811 |url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/22/5811 |website=LII / Legal Information Institute |accessdate=15 February 2019 |language=en}}

The law expresses the sense of Congress that the Belarusian authorities should not receive various types of non-humanitarian financial aid from the U.S. It also calls for the President to report to Congress on arms sales by Belarus to state sponsors of terrorism and on the personal wealth and assets of senior Belarus officials.

The U.S., said President Bush in his signing statement of October 20, 2004, "will work with our allies and partners to assist those seeking to return Belarus to its rightful place among the Euro-Atlantic community of democracies."{{cite web |last1=Bush |first1=President George W. |title=Statement on the Belarus Democracy Act of 2004 (Text Only) |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/10/text/20041020-14.html |website=georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov |accessdate=14 February 2019}}

All three bills were introduced by Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey.{{cite web| url = https://www.c-span.org/video/?177388-2/house-session| title = House Session {{!}} C-SPAN.org}}

Earlier versions of the act that were introduced in 2001 and 2003 but not enacted into law were more severe, prohibiting travel of Belarusian officials, freezing assets, blocking certain trade, and referring to the role of Russia.{{cite news |title=Belarus Democracy and Human Rights Act Passes US Congress Committee |url=https://belarusdigest.com/story/belarus-democracy-and-human-rights-act-passes-us-congress-committee/ |accessdate=14 February 2019 |work=Belarus Digest |date=April 19, 2011 |archive-date=3 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203044526/https://belarusdigest.com/story/belarus-democracy-and-human-rights-act-passes-us-congress-committee/ |url-status=dead }}