Washington–Chairman Eliot L. Engel, and Ranking Member Michael T. McCaul of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs today released the following statement on the Lukashenka regime’s threat to use lethal force against peaceful protesters in Belarus:

“The Lukashenka regime’s threat to use lethal force against the brave women and men peacefully protesting in Belarus is completely unacceptable. On top of the use of stun grenades, water cannons, torture, and mass detentions, the escalation to the use of live ammunition as a way to cling to power would only underscore Lukashenka’s illegitimacy in the eyes of the Belarusian people and those watching around the world. We are committed to supporting the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people and ensuring those responsible for the violence and egregious human rights violations in Belarus do not go unpunished.”

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