Sergei Magnitsky

Magnitsky legislation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Magnitsky Act, Abuse of the legal system, Prisoner abuse, Sergei Magnitsky, Crime, Money laundering, Magnitsky, Law, Abuse, Jamison Firestone

Stronger legislation providing for sanctions against corrupt officials who commit gross human rights abuse has been passed...

Key Points: 
  • Stronger legislation providing for sanctions against corrupt officials who commit gross human rights abuse has been passed...

    Sergei Magnitsky was a Russian lawyer who uncovered large-scale tax fraud.

  • Arguments used against introducing Bills or changing existing law to provide Magnitsky legislation have included questions about the definition of gross human rights abuse and the suggestion that powers to sanction gross human rights abusers are already there in existing legislation.
  • Two major pieces of legislation to have Magnitsky elements added to them: the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill (now the Sanctions and anti-Money Laundering Act 2018).
  • There are some who question the effectiveness of Magnitsky legislation: there are countless powerful officials who commit gross human rights abuses; choosing who to impose sanctions upon is likely to be a subjective business.

Dominic Raab: New sanctions show the UK "won't look the other way" on human rights

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
British MPs, Magnitsky Act, Sergei Magnitsky, Dominic Raab, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Lisa Nandy, International sanctions, Government of the United Kingdom, International sanctions during the Ukrainian crisis

Mr Raab told MPs of plans to introduce a sanctions regime similar to the Magnitsky Act in the US, which authorised the government to freeze the assets and ban people from entering the country who were seen as human rights offenders.

Key Points: 
  • Mr Raab told MPs of plans to introduce a sanctions regime similar to the Magnitsky Act in the US, which authorised the government to freeze the assets and ban people from entering the country who were seen as human rights offenders.
  • Previously, the UK had followed the sanctions regimes of the EU and UN.
  • This new plan follows the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 in establishing a post-Brexit regime for dealing with human rights offenders.

Dominic Raab: "crystal clear"

    • Dominic Raabtold the Housethat he first raised this issue in a Backbench Business Debate in 2012.
    • He called it a "cross-party issue", and thanked colleagues "from all sides of the House" who joined him in supporting the cause.
    • The sanctions give the Government the right to freeze bank accounts and ban individuals from entering the country.
    • The Foreign Secretary said this included both state officials and non-state actors, such as kleptocrats or organised criminals.
    • Mr Raab said he would work with global organisations and governments, including the US, Canada, Australia and the EU.

Lisa Nandy: "a long and difficult journey"

    • Responding on behalf of the Government/Opposition, Lisa Nandy said she welcomed the statement and that it had been a "long and difficult journey" to persuade the Government to introduce these sanctions.
    • Ms Nandy said that "for too long" the UK had acted as a "haven" for those whogain from human rights abuses and corruption, adding that she hoped today would send a "strong message" that they are not welcome here.
    • The Shadow Minister paid tribute to Sergei Magnitsky and his family, who she said had waited "far too long" for these regulations.
    • She asked for this to be immediately resolved, and pointed out that the USA and Canada had already included corruption in their scope.
    • The Member/Minister of State said/told MPs/stated:
      "Today is the day we stand up against corruption, dirty money and for our values with the full support of this House."

Dominic Raab: New sanctions show the UK "won't look the other way" on human rights

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
British MPs, Magnitsky Act, Sergei Magnitsky, Dominic Raab, House of Commons of the United Kingdom, Lisa Nandy, International sanctions, Government of the United Kingdom, International sanctions during the Ukrainian crisis

Mr Raab told MPs of plans to introduce a sanctions regime similar to the Magnitsky Act in the US, which authorised the government to freeze the assets and ban people from entering the country who were seen as human rights offenders.

Key Points: 
  • Mr Raab told MPs of plans to introduce a sanctions regime similar to the Magnitsky Act in the US, which authorised the government to freeze the assets and ban people from entering the country who were seen as human rights offenders.
  • Previously, the UK had followed the sanctions regimes of the EU and UN.
  • This new plan follows the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 in establishing a post-Brexit regime for dealing with human rights offenders.

Dominic Raab: "crystal clear"

    • Dominic Raabtold the Housethat he first raised this issue in a Backbench Business Debate in 2012.
    • He called it a "cross-party issue", and thanked colleagues "from all sides of the House" who joined him in supporting the cause.
    • The sanctions give the Government the right to freeze bank accounts and ban individuals from entering the country.
    • The Foreign Secretary said this included both state officials and non-state actors, such as kleptocrats or organised criminals.
    • Mr Raab said he would work with global organisations and governments, including the US, Canada, Australia and the EU.

Lisa Nandy: "a long and difficult journey"

    • Responding on behalf of the Government/Opposition, Lisa Nandy said she welcomed the statement and that it had been a "long and difficult journey" to persuade the Government to introduce these sanctions.
    • Ms Nandy said that "for too long" the UK had acted as a "haven" for those whogain from human rights abuses and corruption, adding that she hoped today would send a "strong message" that they are not welcome here.
    • The Shadow Minister paid tribute to Sergei Magnitsky and his family, who she said had waited "far too long" for these regulations.
    • She asked for this to be immediately resolved, and pointed out that the USA and Canada had already included corruption in their scope.
    • The Member/Minister of State said/told MPs/stated:
      "Today is the day we stand up against corruption, dirty money and for our values with the full support of this House."

Media Advisory: Lantos Foundation to Award Human Rights Prize to Bill Browder at Washington Ceremony

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Corruption in Russia, Magnitsky Act, Bill Browder, Tom Lantos, Magnitsky, Browder, Activists, Nationality, Occupations, Sergei Magnitsky, Denis Katsyv

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --On September 27, 2019 at 10:30 am at the Russell Senate Office Building's Kennedy Caucus Room in Washington, DC, the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice will award its annual Lantos Human Rights Prize to Bill Browder, the driving force behind the Magnitsky Sanctions which are the most consequential enforcement mechanism of the modern human rights movement.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --On September 27, 2019 at 10:30 am at the Russell Senate Office Building's Kennedy Caucus Room in Washington, DC, the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice will award its annual Lantos Human Rights Prize to Bill Browder, the driving force behind the Magnitsky Sanctions which are the most consequential enforcement mechanism of the modern human rights movement.
  • Bill Browder, for whom Magnitsky had worked, vowed to dedicate himself to seeking justice for Sergei and this crusade has made him a global human rights leader.
  • First passed by the US Congress in 2012, the Magnitsky Act (later the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act), authorized sanctions of government officials implicated in serious human rights abuses.
  • What: Presentation of Lantos Human Rights Prize to human rights champion and father of the Magnitsky Act, Bill Browder
    Where: The Russell Senate Office Building's Kennedy Caucus Room in Washington, DC