Leader Cantor Meets with Boris Nemtsov to Discuss Human Rights in Russia

Statement

Today, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) met with Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov to discuss the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia and the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act of 2012, which includes the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012:

"Today, I met with Boris Nemtsov, a brave Russian reformer dedicated to bringing true democracy and political freedom to Russia. He shared with me his support for the important piece of human rights legislation the House will vote on today, and I shared with him my concern for the human rights situation inside Russia and my admiration for his efforts to take a stand for democracy and the rule of law in Russia.

"Four years ago, a young lawyer named Sergei Magnitsky courageously challenged the sanctioned corruption within the Russian government. Sergei Magnitsky was unjustly incarcerated without trial, suffered maltreatment at the hands of his captors, and died mysteriously while in detention. His heroic refusal to support corruption led many Russian citizens, including leaders like Boris Nemtsov, to band together to combat officially sanctioned corruption and extralegal activities of the state. I hope with Russia's accession to the WTO, and the House vote today, Russia's leaders will enact reforms that root out corruption and empower their citizens with economic and political freedoms that have long been denied them."

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