[House Document 112-112]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



112th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 112-112

 
     CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO BELARUS

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                     THEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATES

                              transmitting

   NOTIFICATION THAT THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO BLOCKING 
    PROPERTY OF CERTAIN PERSONS UNDERMINING DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES OR 
 INSTITUTIONS IN BELARUS, AS DECLARED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 13405, IS TO 
                CONTINUE IN EFFECT BEYOND JUNE 16, 2012




    June 15, 2012.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
         Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                         Washington, June 14, 2012.
Hon. John A. Boehner,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: Section 202(d) of the National 
Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic 
termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days 
prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President 
publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress 
a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect 
beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, 
I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the 
enclosed notice stating that the national emergency and related 
measures blocking the property of certain persons undermining 
democratic processes or institutions in Belarus are to continue 
in effect beyond June 16, 2012.
    In 2011, the Government of Belarus continued its crackdown 
against political opposition, civil society, and independent 
media. The government arbitrarily arrested, detained, and 
imprisoned citizens for criticizing officials or for 
participating in demonstrations; imprisoned at least one human 
rights activist on manufactured charges; and prevented 
independent media from disseminating information and materials. 
These actions show that the Government of Belarus has taken 
additional steps backward in the development of democratic 
governance and respect for human rights.
    The actions and policies of certain members of the 
Government of Belarus and other persons to undermine Belarus 
democratic processes or institutions, to commit human rights 
abuses related to political repression, and to engage in public 
corruption continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat 
to the national security and foreign policy of the United 
States. For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary 
to continue the national emergency declared to deal with this 
threat and the related measures blocking the property of 
certain persons.
            Sincerely,
                                                      Barack Obama.
                                 Notice

                              ----------                              


Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Actions and 
  Policies of Certain Members of the Government of Belarus and Other 
   Persons To Undermine Belarus Democratic Processes or Institutions

    On June 16, 2006, by Executive Order 13405, the President 
declared a national emergency and ordered related measures 
blocking the property of certain persons undermining democratic 
processes or institutions in Belarus, pursuant to the 
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-
1706). The President took this action to deal with the unusual 
and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign 
policy of the United States constituted by the actions and 
policies of certain members of the Government of Belarus and 
other persons to undermine Belarus democratic processes or 
institutions, to commit human rights abuses related to 
political repression, including detentions and disappearances, 
and to engage in public corruption, including by diverting or 
misusing Belarusian public assets or by misusing public 
authority.
    In 2011, the Government of Belarus continued its crackdown 
against political opposition, civil society, and independent 
media. The government arbitrarily arrested, detained, and 
imprisoned citizens for criticizing officials or for 
participating in demonstrations; imprisoned at least one human 
rights activist on manufactured charges; and prevented 
independent media from disseminating information and materials. 
These actions show that the Government of Belarus has taken 
additional steps backward in the development of democratic 
governance and respect for human rights.
    The actions and policies of certain members of the 
Government of Belarus and other persons continue to pose an 
unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and 
foreign policy of the United States. Accordingly, the national 
emergency declared on June 16, 2006, and the measures adopted 
on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in 
effect beyond June 16, 2012. Therefore, in accordance with 
section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 
1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency 
declared in Executive Order 13405.
    This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and 
transmitted to the Congress.

                                                      Barack Obama.
    The White House, June 14, 2012.