Global Magnitsky Human Rights & Anti-Corruption Bill Approved by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee

July 1, 2014

30 June 2014 – In a landmark vote, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved a new Global Magnitsky Bill (S. 1933) which builds on the success of Russia-focused Magnitsky legislation by imposing targeted sanctions on corrupt officials and human rights oppressors around the world.

“The new Global Magnitsky Human Rights & Anti-Corruption bill is a historic piece of legislation designed to deter and create consequences for those who are responsible for corruption and human rights violations around the world today. Magnitsky sanctions are the new technology for fighting human rights abuse in the 21st century,” said William Browder, leader of the global Magnitsky justice movement.

The new Global Magnitsky bill expands the authority of the U.S. President to impose targeted sanctions on foreign persons involved in corruption and gross violations. The Global Magnitsky sanctions include visa ban and asset freezes on individual human rights abusers anywhere in the world.

In 2012, the U.S. Congress adopted the Russia-focused Magnitsky Act which imposes such targeted sanctions on individuals who were involved in the torture and killing of Russian anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, the cover up of these crimes, and individuals who are responsible for oppressing other Russian civil rights activists.

Since the adoption of the Magnitsky Act, 30 persons have been placed on the U.S. Government’s sanctions list, including Russian government officials as well as leader of the Klyuev Crime Group responsible for the theft of $230 million of Russian public funds exposed by late Sergei Magnitsky (http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20140520.aspx).

The global Magnitsky bill is the latest in a series of efforts by the US and Europe to build on the Magnitsky Act and end impunity for human rights abusers and corrupt officials around the world.

Following the vote in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the next step in the legislative process is for the Global Magnitsky bill to be voted on the Senate floor.

See details on the Global Magnitsky bill:

https://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/1933

 

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