Cardin, McCain Reintroduce Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act

Statement

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), have introduced their bill, S. 284 the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act that would ensure human rights abusers and corrupt officials are denied entry into the United States and barred from using our financial institutions. The legislation would expand the Russia-specific sanctions in the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act (Public Law 112-208) to apply globally, and would make significant acts of corruption a sanctionable offense. The bill introduced today is the same language that was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in June 2014.

"Human rights abusers and corrupt officials around the world will hear loud and clear that the United States speaks with one voice when we say that we will fight corruption and human rights violations wherever they occur," said Senator Cardin. "This bipartisan bill will provide the current administration and future administrations powerful tools to deter gross rights violations and significant corruption, while also protecting America's financial system from those who would use it to launder or shelter ill-gotten gains. Once enacted, this bill will honor Sergei Magnitsky and other whistleblowers who gave their lives to ensure that corrupt officials who abuse their power will face justice for their crimes."

"Congress passed the Magnitsky Act in 2012 to place the United States firmly on the side of those struggling for human rights and the rule of law in Russia," said Senator McCain. "This bipartisan legislation extends that effort, holding accountable those who commit gross violations of human rights across the world. Standing up for the rule of law and establishing clear consequences for abuses of fundamental human rights serves our nation's interests and reflects of deepest values, and I am proud to join Senator Cardin in this effort."

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