Объявлены лауреаты Премии Сергея Магнитского 2015 года на международной церемонии в день шестилетней годовщины его гибели
November 17, 2015
Лауреаты Премии Сергея Магнитского 2015 года.
Международная церемония в день шестилетней годовщины со дня его гибели.
Вчера, 17 ноября 2015 года, на международной церемонии, прошедшей в Лондоне (Великобритания), были объявлены имена лауреатов Премии Сергея Магнитского.
Открывая церемонию руководитель кампании «Справедливость для Сергея Магнитского» и автор книги «Красный циркуляр» (http://www.billbrowder.com/red-notice) Уильям Браудер подчеркнул: «Люди должны помнить об этом мужественном и преданном профессиональному долгу человеке, не утратившем человеческого достоинства перед лицом бесчеловечного обращения в тюрьме. Эта премия должна напоминать международному сообществу о творящейся в российских судах несправедливости. Лауреатами стали люди, идущие на личный риск, защищая справедливость и честное правосудие, как это делал Сергей».
Премия присуждена в девяти номинациях. Лауреатами Премии Сергея Магнитского 2015 года стали:
1) Борис Немцов (посмертно) – Специальная премия за приверженность демократическим принципам. Премию отца приняла его дочь Жанна Немцова;
2) Ги Верховштадт (Guy Verhofstadt) – член Европейского парламента, со-автор Европейской резолюции Магнитского о введении санкций в отношении лиц, причастных к делу Магнитского, принятой единогласно в апреле 2014 года (Номинация: Европейский политик 2015 года);
3) Джим Макговерн – американский конгрессмен, со-автор Закона имени Магнитского, одобренного Конгрессом США в декабре 2012 года, вводящего визовые и финансовые санкции в отношении лиц, причастных к делу Магнитского и другим нарушениям прав человека (Номинация: Американский политик 2015 года);
4) “Программа по расследованию и освещению организованной преступности и коррупции” (The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project www.occrp.org) – первой разместила в печати результаты своего исследования механизма отмывания за рубежом денег, похищенных в России в результате мошеннических возвратов налогов, одобренных чиновниками двух московских налоговых инспекций №25 и №28 – преступления, раскрытого Сергеем Магнитским (Номинация: За лучшее журналистское расследование 2015 года). Премия вручена Полу Раду (Paul Radu, https://www.occrp.org/staff), исполнительному директору OCCRP, и Роману Анину, ведущему журналисту расследователю OCCRP, редактору отдела расследований «Новой газеты» (http://www.novayagazeta.ru/profile/222/);
5) Эндрю Ретман – журналист европейского издания «Обозреватель ЕС», освещавший политические аспекты дела Магнитского и усилия европейских органов правосудия по расследованию отмывания 5,4 миллиардов рублей через европейские банковские институты (Номинация: Европейский журналист 2015 года);
6) Джеймс О’Брайен – британский теле и радиожурналист, автор передач, посвященных делу и санкциям Магнитского (Номинация: Британский журналист 2015 года);
7) Джеффри Робертсон – эксперт по международному праву, автор книг и публикаций по вопросам защиты прав человека и санкциям Магнитского (Номинация: Вклад в развитие международного законодательства о правах человека);
8) Программа «Форум Свободы в Осло» (OsloFreedomForum) — международная конференция, посвященная правам человека, освещавшая дело Магнитского и требующая установления правосудия в отношении лиц, причастных к нарушениям его прав в заключении и убийству (Номинация: Общественная организация 2015 года);
9) Ирвин Котлер– бывший Генеральный прокурор, Министр юстиции Канады и член Парламента Канады, автор законопроектов о санкциях Магнитского в канадском парламенте (Номинация: За вклад в глобальную кампанию справедливости для Сергея Магнитского)
Церемония награждения победителей Премии Сергея Магнитского прошла в шестилетнюю годовщину, со дня его гибели в следственном изоляторе «Матросская тишина» в возрасте 37 лет.
«Память о нашем любимом, дорогом Сергее жива. Считаем это событием огромной важности не только для нашей семьи, но и для огромного количества людей в мире. Надеемся, что учрежденная премия поддержит всех, кто отстаивает права человека. Искренне благодарим всех за поддержку», — отмечается в заявлении семьи Сергея Магнитского об учреждении премии его имени.
Организационный комитет Премии имени СергеяМагнитского за 2015 включал: Трансперенси интернешионал (Transparency International, http://www.transparency.org.uk/), The Henry Jackson Society (http://henryjacksonsociety.org/), Fair Trials International (http://www.fairtrials.org/), Global Witness (www.globalwitness.org), the Central and Eastern European Council of Canada, and the British Parliament’s All-Party Group on Anti-Corruption (http://www.anticorruptionappg.org/).
Boris Nemtsov Posthumously Awarded Sergei Magnitsky 2015 Human Rights Prize for Democracy
November 17, 2015
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Distribution
Boris Nemtsov Posthumously Awarded Sergei Magnitsky 2015 Human Rights Prize for Democracy
16 November 2015 – Tonight Boris Nemtsov, the Russian politician who was assassinated near the Kremlin in late February this year, was posthumously awarded the Sergei Magnitsky 2015 Human Rights Prize for Democracy.
“Boris Nemtsov was a courageous man, and a true friend of the Magnitsky Justice campaign. He was a steadfast supporter of our initiative to impose targeted Western sanctions on Russian officials involved in human rights abuse and corruption. Boris shamed weak Western diplomats who tried to appease the Russian leader, because he was convinced that the sanctions are the necessary, effective and morally right way to stand up to Russian official impunity,” said William Browder, leader of the Justice for Sergei Magnitsky campaign.
“Both Boris and Sergei were optimists and believed in a brighter future for Russia. They show us that Russia produces great people with humanity and integrity. Their loss is a tragedy for Russia and the world. The fact that both were killed in cold blood, and in both cases those responsible have not been brought to account, is the call for action. We cannot bring Boris and Sergei back, but we owe it to them to carry on with our cause, to seek justice in the form of further Magnitsky sanctions on corrupt officials and human rights violators by countries around the world,” said William Browder.
The Sergei Magnitsky awards ceremony was held tonight in London on the 6th anniversary of Sergei Magnitsky’s murder in Russian police custody.
Other winners of the Sergei Magnitsky 2015 Human Rights Awards include prominent policy makers, journalists, and human rights activists, who have worked in the spirit of Sergei Magnitsky — with faith, strength and integrity, to reinforce and advance his legacy, and bring about significant change in the international justice and human rights field.
The winners of the 2015 ‘Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards’ are:
1) Boris Nemtsov (posthumously and accepted by his daughter Zhanna Nemtsova), Russian opposition leader (Special Award for Campaigning for Democracy);
2) Guy Verhofstadt, Member of European Parliament (Campaigning European Politician Award), co-author of Magnitsky Sanctions Resolution in the European Parliament;
3) Jim McGovern, U.S. Congressman (Campaigning US Politician Award), co-author of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act adopted by the US Congress;
4) The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, an anti-corruption and investigative journalism NGO (Outstanding Investigative Journalism Award, accepted by Paul Radu and Roman Anin) who investigated and publicised the transnational money laundering trail from the $230 million theft uncovered by Sergei Magnitsky;
5) Andrew Rettman, European journalist with EU Observer (Outstanding European Coverage of Magnitsky Case Award) who covered political aspects of the Magnitsky case in the EU;
6) James O’Brien, British journalist, television and radio presenter, and a show host on LBC talk station (Outstanding British Coverage of Magnitsky Case Award) who shamed the British government in their weak response to the Magnitsky case;
7) Geoffrey Robertson QC, international lawyer (Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights Law Award), author of publications on Magnitsky sanctions legislation;
8) The Oslo Freedom Forum, a human rights conference platform (Best Human Rights NGO Award, accepted by Thor Halvorssen) who promoted policy debate on Magnitsky sanctions and human rights; and
9) The Hon. Irwin Cotler, former Attorney General and Justice Minister of Canada (Outstanding Contribution to Global Magnitsky Campaign), author of the Magnitsky bill in the Canadian Parliament, and chair of the Justice for Sergei Magnitsky Inter-Parliamentary Group.
The organising committee of the Global Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards this year consists of activists from major international organizations, including Transparency International, The Henry Jackson Society, Fair Trials International, the Central and Eastern European Council of Canada, and the British Parliament’s All-Party Group on Anti-Corruption.
The Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards, a newly-launched international human rights prize, are advanced by the Magnitsky family as a “beacon of support” for all those who fight injustice around the world, and promoted by the Justice for Magnitsky campaign.
Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer, uncovered the largest publicly-known corruption case in Russia involving the theft of $230 million, and testified about it naming complicit officials. He was arrested by some of the implicated officials, held for 358 days in pre-trial detention in torturous conditions, and killed in Russian police custody on 16 November 2009.
For more information please contact:
Justice for Sergei Magnitsky
+44 207 440 1777
e‑mail: info@lawandorderinrussia.org
www.lawandorderinrussia.org
Twitter: @KatieFisher__
www.facebook.com/russianuntouchables
Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards Will Be Launched on the 6th Anniversary of Sergei Magnitsky’s Murder in Russian Police Custody
November 12, 2015
12 November 2015 – On the eve of the 6th anniversary of the murder of Russian anti-corruption lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, the Justice for Sergei Magnitsky campaign is launching the ‘Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards.’
The awards will celebrate international politicians, journalists and civil society activists who have worked in the spirit of Sergei Magnitsky — with faith, strength and integrity, to reinforce and advance his legacy, and bring about significant change in the international justice and human rights field.
The winners of the 2015 Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards will be announced next week, on Monday, 16 November 2015, marking the 6th anniversary of Sergei Magnitsky’s death in Russian police custody at the age of 37.
“Sergei Magnitsky’s impact on the world has only gained in significance in the years after his death. We hope that the Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards will serve as a beacon of support for all those who fight injustice around the world,” said Sergei Magnitsky’s mother Nataliya.
The organising committee of the Global Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards this year consists of activists from major international organizations, including Transparency International, the Henry Jackson Society, Fair Trials International, the Central and Eastern European Council of Canada, and the British Parliament’s All-Party Group on Anti-Corruption.
The Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards will be given in 9 categories, including Outstanding Investigative Journalism; Top Campaigning US Politician, Top European Politicians; Best Human Rights NGO; Outstanding Contribution to the Global Magnitsky Campaign; Outstanding Coverage of Magnitsky Case in Britain and in Europe; the Best Human Rights Lawyer; and the Top Campaigner for Democracy.
Alan Mendoza, Executive Director, Henry Jackson Society, said:
“The inaugural Sergei Magnitsky Award is an important event, and we are very happy to be involved. The Award ceremony represents the pinnacle of years of support that The Henry Jackson Society has given to the Global Magnitsky Campaign, and we look forward to continuing that support for years to come.”
Robert Barrington, Executive Director of Transparency International UK said:
“Investigative journalists are a vital part of the efforts to uncover and ultimately fight corruption in all its forms. Whether it’s exposing the lavish lifestyle of a corrupt state official, or unearthing widespread bribery in businesses, investigative journalists have proved effective campaigners against corruption. Often they will work in extremely restricted environments, putting life and limb on the line to unmask the corrupt. That’s why Transparency International is proud to be supporting the award for investigative journalism at the Sergei Magnitsky Human Rights Awards this year.”
Sergei Magnitsky’s torture and death in Russian police custody, and the subsequent cover-up of his murder and the theft of the $230 million corruption he had exposed, has led to the worldwide Justice for Sergei Magnitsky Campaign. Launched in 2010, it spearheaded the adoption in the United States of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012. The U.S. Magnitsky law imposes targeted sanctions in the form of visa bans and asset freezes on those involved in his case, as well as in other gross human rights abuses against democracy defenders in Russia. 34 Russian officials and private individuals have been placed on the U.S. Magnitsky sanctions list since the enactment of the law.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has called on all its member states to adopt similar sanctions on those involved in Sergei Magnitsky’s case.
Sergei Magnitsky was posthumously given the 2010 International Integrity Award by Transparency International for taking a personal stand against Russian corruption and paying for it with his life.
Earlier this year Sergei Magnitsky was honoured by the Allard Prize Committee for International Integrity (Canada), which recognizes individuals and organisations who show exceptional courage and leadership in combating corruption.
This year Sergei Magnitsky was also posthumously awarded one of the world’s most prestigious individual achievement prizes, the Joshua Heintz Humanitarian Award, for distinguished achievement in the field of international justice awarded by the organization of former Chief Prosecutors of the UN War Crimes Tribunals.
In Russia, Sergei Magnitsky was tried posthumously, three and a half years after his death, in the first-ever posthumous trial in Russian history. Russian authorities also closed the investigation into his death in police custody finding “no signs of crime,” in spite of conclusions to the contrary drawn by two independent domestic commissions, including the Moscow Public Oversight Commission and the President’s Human Rights Council, as well as by the international investigation carried out in 2012 – 2013 by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe which urged Russia to conduct proper investigation or face US-like Magnitsky sanctions.
For more information please contact:
Justice for Sergei Magnitsky
+44 207 440 1777
e‑mail: info@lawandorderinrussia.org
website: www.lawandorderinrussia.org
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/hvIuVI
Twitter: @KatieFisher__
Russian Anti-Corruption Activist Navalny Urges US Government to Add New Names to Magnitsky Sanctions List for Abusing His Brother in Prison
November 11, 2015
11 November 2015 – Alexei Navalny, Russian anti-corruption activist, whose brother has been jailed by Russian authorities since December 2014 on trumped up charges and who has been subjected to discriminatory pressure in detention, has urged the US Government to add new names onto the Magnitsky Sanctions list under the US Sergei Magnitsky Law (https://navalny.com/p/4533/) which imposes visa bans and asset freezes on gross human rights violators.
“[The Magnitsky Law] is a truly pro-Russian law…This is the law that protects Russian citizens from the lawlessness,” said Alexei Navalny on the role of the Magnitsky Act in today’s Russia.
“My brother [Oleg Navalny] is being held in jail as a hostage. His only guilt is that he is my brother,” said Alexei Navalny.
“Previously, each new wave of pressure on Oleg [Alexei Navalny’s brother] was precisely timed with my activities and anti-corruption investigations. Now this pressure simply never subsides,” said Alexei Navalny about the treatment of his brother in Russian penal colony No 5.
Alexei Navalny and his colleagues have identified three officials responsible for applying the pressure to Navalny’s brother:
1) Yuri Dorokhin, deputy head of prison system in Orlov region;
2) Yuri Afanasiev, head of penal colony IK‑5;
3) Gennady Grevtsev, deputy head of IK‑5 colony in charge of security.
In the last several months, Oleg Navalny was moved three times to a penalty facility where he spent 45 days, according to Alexei Navalny’s colleague Vladimir Ashurkov (https://www.facebook.com/vladimir.ashurkov/posts/1059742160743615)
The United States passed the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act in December 2012. The US law, named after deceased Hermitage Fund’s Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, imposes visa bans and asset freezes on those involved in his arrest, torture, death and cover-up, as well as other gross human rights abuses.
So far the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has publicly sanctioned 34 Russian nationals under the US Magnitsky Act, including 28 who played a role in the Magnitsky case and 6 persons involved in other gross human rights violations in Russia. The lists of names were previously published by the US Government on 12 April 2013, 20 May 2014 and 29 December 2014.
For more information please contact:
Justice for Sergei Magnitsky
+44 207 440 1777
e‑mail: info@lawandorderinrussia.org
website: www.lawandorderinrussia.org
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/hvIuVI
Twitter: @KatieFisher__
Ahead of Canadian Elections Next Monday, All Major Canadian Political Parties Commit to Implement Magnitsky Sanctions Legislation if Elected
October 13, 2015
13 October 2015 – All of Canada’s major political parties have publicly pledged to implement Magnitsky sanctions legislation if elected ahead of the federal election set for next Monday, 19 October 2015.
Magnitsky sanctions legislation will create consequences for gross human rights violations. Such legislation is already in place in the United States.
Last spring Liberal Canadian MP Irwin Cotler’s motion calling for a Magnitsky law won unanimous support in the Canada’s House of Commons.
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and member of the Conservative party Rob Nicholson gave a pledge to amend Canada’s existing sanctions regime to include Magnitsky sanctions — the ability to target human rights abusers throughout the world with visa bans and asset freezes (http://upnorth.eu/canadian-ministers-pledge-to-adopt-global-magnitsky-nemtsov-legislation-and-create-digital-freedom-fund/)
NDP and Green Party of Canada stated that they will introduce Magnitsky legislation involving sanctions against Russian officials responsible for the illegal imprisonment in Russia of Ukrainian citizens (NDP: http://www.ucc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1‑NDP-Response-Ukrainian-Canadian-Congress-Questionnaire.pdf; Greens: http://www.ucc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1‑Green-Party-Leader-UCCResponseFinal.pdf)
The Liberal Party of Canada said that a Liberal Government will introduce legislation, modelled on the US Magnitsky legislation, because of the belief that, “by imposing sanctions, we can impose meaningful penalties on human rights violators and deter future violations,” and that it “will immediately expand the list of sanctioned Russians to include influential businessmen, and close Putin supporters, Igor Sechin and Vladimir Yakunin.” (http://www.ucc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/1‑LPC-Response-Election-2015.pdf)
The statements from the political parties came in response to questions raised by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) challenging all Canadian political parties on issues of importance to the Ukrainian Canadian community in advance of the election.
The 2015 Canadian election will be held on October 19, 2015 and will elect members to the House of Commons of the 42nd Parliament of Canada.
For more information please contact:
Justice for Sergei Magnitsky
+44 207 440 1777
e‑mail: info@lawandorderinrussia.org
website: www.lawandorderinrussia.org
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/hvIuVI
Twitter: @KatieFisher__