Magnitsky Act

• Over 300 children have since returned home, but it is not clear what happened to most of the rest.
• The kidnapping of Ukrainian children offers a reminder of how Putin and other Russian leaders have historically used children as pawns in international politics.

A Soviet promise to children

• It’s helpful to understand that before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the Soviet government presented a myth that all children – including those in institutions – would receive excellent care.
• The Soviet government promised these children that their futures were promising and that they would receive an education and have help getting a job.
• Other than adults who worked in these Soviet orphanages or psychiatric hospitals, no one was allowed to see what went on inside.

Russia’s struggle to care for kids

• Citizens from the U.S. and other Western countries eagerly responded, welcoming the new openness of Russia.
• This helped boost Russia’s image in the West as a kinder country than it was during the Cold War.
• Most of these kids had at least one living parent.
• In some cases, government deemed some parents unfit for the job and moved the kids to an institution.

‘It’s hard to believe’

• Some Russian officials pointed out the lack of oversight and abuse that adopted Russian children experienced in the U.S.
• This narrative helped weaken the U.S. in the eyes of Russian citizens, thereby strengthening the image of the Russian government.
• Magnitsky died while in custody in 2009, before he could stand trial.
• In 2012, the U.S. Congress approved new legislation, called the Magnitsky Act, which identifies and imposes sanctions on Russian officials who are accused of human rights violations.

A halt to adoptions

• In 2012, Putin signed the law banning international adoptions to the U.S. Putin’s law, which went into effect in early 2013, halted thousands of adoptions already in progress with American families.
• U.S. scholars and journalists have argued that Putin’s adoption ban was a direct retaliation to the Magnitsky Act and was not about Putin’s concern for Russian orphans.
• Some outside analysis by groups like the World Bank have documented positive changes at Russian institutions for children, such as more funding.

A similar playbook

• In the face of evolving battlefield failures in Ukraine, Putin has pivoted to a familiar playbook of using and abusing children, continuing to call for the “evacuation” of Ukrainian children, both from Ukrainian orphanages and from their families.
• These children are being moved to Russian orphanages and camps, where they learn how to be Russian.

• GENEVA, Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday 27 September, the issues of human rights and political oppression in Benin were raised at the 51stsession of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, composed of 47 member states, in which Benin is occupying a seat until 2024.
• An oral statement co-sponsored by two NGOs,CAP/ Libert de Conscience(France) andHuman Rights Without Frontiers(HRWF) expressed their deep concerns aboutthe ongoing backsliding of democracy and human rights in Benin since President Patrice Talon came to power in 2016.
• On the same day, HRWF launched its report about the situation in Benin in which the Brussels-based NGO focused on several topics of particular concern, and primarily the grip of President Talon on all the state institutions to the benefit of his party.
• On the same lines, HRWF also recommends the nomination of President Talon and his associatesfor sanctions under theEU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.

• Toronto, Sept. 22, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On 07 November 2022, CFA Society Toronto will be hosting its Annual Investment Dinner.
• We welcome Bill Browder, Co-Founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management and Author of Red Notice and Freezing Orderfor an intimate discussion moderated byMari Jensen, Vice Chair, CFA Society Toronto.
• Please join us for what will be an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on global geopolitical risk and their investment implications.
• Co-Founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management,
  William Browder is the Co-Founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management.

• While urging the Chinese authorities to repeal the draconian national security law introduced last year, MEPs encourage EU countries to impose sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for serious violations of human rights and international law in Hong Kong under the EU human rights sanctions regime.
• While urging the countrys authorities to genuinely abolish the death penalty for these offenders, the resolution strongly supports EU sanctions against Saudi officials responsible for grave human rights violations.
• All EU exports of mass surveillance technology and other dual-use items to Saudi Arabia should be suspended, say MEPs.
• The resolution also calls on Iran to stop threatening Dr Djalalis family in both Sweden and Iran.