“A Groundbreaking Achievement”: Congress Passes “Global Magnitsky
Human Rights Accountability Act”
Posted by Enough Team on Dec 08, 2016
Today, the United States Congress passed historic legislation
empowering the U.S. government with the authority to place sanctions
on corrupt public officials across the world who misappropriate state
assets as well as anyone who attacks journalists and human rights
defenders.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017
passed in the Senate today, following passage in the House of
Representatives last Friday. The NDAA includes a provision on human
rights sanctions known as the “Global Magnitsky Human Rights
Accountability Act.” Once signed into law, Global Magnitsky gives the
President standing authority to impose sanctions on non-U.S. citizens
guilty of corruption or gross human rights violations perpetrated
against whistleblowers. Global Magnitsky also enhances congressional
involvement in the designation of individuals to be investigated for
human rights violations, and helps to ensure that U.S. financial
institutions are not complicit in supporting those profiting off of
atrocities.
The Global Magnitsky Act brings a unique focus to corruption and the
illicit gain acquired through acts of corruption and especially with
regard to those in government positions, those who are complicit in
corrupt acts, and those who facilitate or transfer the proceeds of
corruption to foreign jurisdictions.
The NDAA now heads to President Obama’s desk to be signed into law.
Ian Schwab, Director of Advocacy and Impact Strategy at the Enough
Project, said: “Passage of the Global Magnitsky Act demonstrates what
is possible when members of both parties working together in the House
and Senate identify a problem and put forward a constructive solution.
Congress should use this legislation and the tools it provides to
ensure that there are consequences for those leaders stealing from
their own people and crushing dissent.”
J.R. Mailey, Senior Policy Analyst for Illicit Finance and
Conflict at the Enough Project, said: “Journalists and civil society
activists around the world are on the front lines of the fight against
corruption, oppression, and human rights violations. This puts many
courageous reporters and activists directly in harm's way, as many who
seek to expose corruption or government abuses are subject to
harassment, intimidation and violence. Such abuse continues, in part,
because the officials responsible for attacks on civil society and the
press believe they will suffer no consequences. The passage of the
Global Magnitsky Act will help change the equation.”
Rachel Finn, Advocacy Manager at the Enough Project, said: “The
Global Magnitsky Act is a groundbreaking achievement in the realm of
atrocity prevention. Not only does it make explicit the critical nexus
between corruption and human rights abuses around the globe, but this
bipartisan initiative also establishes a foundational framework
through which real action can be taken against perpetrators and
enablers of some of the worst crimes known to humanity. We are
grateful to the ongoing work of Senators Cardin (D-MD) and McCain
(R-AZ), Representatives Smith (R-NJ) and McGovern (D-MA), and each
chamber's Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees for their
tireless efforts ensuring the U.S. Government has the tools necessary
to focus on human rights and peace internationally.”
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