Cardin Statement on Protester Crackdowns in Belarus

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement Wednesday after authorities in Belarus employed a large crackdown on peaceful, legal protesters across the country in recent days:

“I condemn the recent detention of civil society activists and journalists in cities throughout Belarus, which seems to indicate a significant backsliding from recent positive reform steps.  I call upon the Belarussian authorities to release those detained for peacefully exercising their rights.  Belarus is in a tough neighborhood - I support the independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Belarus and urge its leadership to recommit to a democratic reform path.”

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