Block Lukashenka from accessing Belarus' IMF account

I would like to thank you for your strong stance on sanctions against the Lukashenka regime of Belarus and powerful actions supporting democracy for the Belarusian people. Still, economic pressure on the regime must include denying it access to Belarus’ share of IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and other IMF resources. Aliaksandr Lukashenka retains power through gross electoral fraud and the continuing repression of dissent. I ask the Biden-Harris Administration to affirm that the unclear electoral result means there is no recognized government in Belarus, and, therefore, the Lukashenka regime has no right to access IMF resources. The Belarus Democracy, Human Rights and Sovereignty Act (BDHRSA) at Section 3(7) asserts that “It is the policy of the United States to refuse to recognize Aliaksandr Lukashenka as the legitimately elected leader of Belarus.” Section 6e of the BDHRSA says, “[t]he Secretary of the Treasury should instruct the United States Executive Director at each international financial institution of which the United States is a member to use the voice and vote of the United States to oppose any extension by those institutions of any financial assistance to the Government of Belarus, except for loans and assistance that serve humanitarian needs.” I hope that the Administration and its IMF-member-country partners direct the IMF to assert that there is no recognizable government in Belarus that can access IMF funds.

▶ Created on August 15, 2021 by Belarusian American community