Canada’s Senate Adopts Magnitsky Sanctions Resolution

May 6, 2015

6 May 2015 – The Canadian Senate has adopted the Magnitsky sanctions motion and condemned those involved in the cover up of the $230 million corruption exposed by Sergei Magnitsky.

“Joining with parliaments around the world, the Senate’s adoption of this motion expresses our commitment to accountability for foreign nationals who commit the most serious violations of human rights,” said Senator Andreychuk, who introduced the motion in the Senate of Canada.

The Canadian resolution condemns the unprecedented posthumous trial of Sergei Magnitsky in Russia, and those who have been involved in covering up the crimes he exposed.

The Resolution encourages sanctions against any foreign nationals who were responsible for the detention, torture or death of Sergei Magnitsky, or who have been involved in covering up the crimes he exposed.

Comparable resolutions, motions and acts have been adopted by the European Parliament, the British House of Commons, the Dutch Parliament, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and others.

Senator Linda Frum, supporting the Senate motion, said:
“We in Canada and other countries where justice and the rule of law prevail must always speak up and take action when possible against foreign nationals who commit crimes and violate human rights, and then attempt to cover them up. Sergei Magnitsky’s courage, which led to his torture and death, should be recognized and applauded everywhere.”

The Senate’s Magnitsky Motion further calls upon the Canadian government to explore sanctions against any foreign nationals responsible for violations of internationally recognized human rights in a foreign country, when authorities in that country are unable or unwilling to conduct a thorough, independent and objective investigation of the violations.

A similar motion was adopted unanimously by all parties in the House of Commons on March 25, 2015.

“The adoption in the Canadian parliament of the Magnitsky motion is a significant step forward in bringing accountability and consequences for the torture and death of Sergei Magnitsky and the global fight against Russian impunity,” said William Browder, leader of the Magnisky Justice campaign and author of best-selling book ‘Red Notice: How I Became Putin’s Number One Enemy,’ released in nine languages and thirteen countries (www.billbrowder.com).

For more information, please contact:

Magnitsky Justice Campaign
+44 2074401777
e-mail: info@lawandorderinrussia.org
website: www.lawandorderinrussia.org
Twitter: @KatieFisher__

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