Rep. Gallego Statement on Pro-Democracy Protests in Belarus
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) issued the following statement in response to weeks of pro-democracy protests in Belarus following widespread and credible reports of corruption and vote rigging in its Presidential election on August 9.
"The People of Belarus deserve to be heard, and President Lukashenko isn't listening," Rep. Gallego said. "These protests are the direct result of decades of oppression and stifling authoritarianism in Belarus and are proof that strongman-led governments are inherently brittle."
"The elections on August 9th were a sham marked by overwhelming evidence of ballot box stuffing, destruction of valid ballots, and a result so ridiculous that the Belarusian People have wholly rejected it. All people deserve to choose their governments, and Belarusians are no different. I call on President Trump and allied and partner nations to support the democratic protesters in Belarus. I also call on President Lukashenko to heed the will of the Belarusian People and institute the democratic reforms that are so sorely needed in Minsk. After doing so, if he is no longer required by the Belarusian People, President Lukashenko must peacefully retire."