Russia target of Tory MP’s human rights legislation
Proposed bill would tighten sanctions on country after whistleblower’s death
In a new round of the struggle for sanctions against Russian officials believed to have had a hand in the killing of whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky, Tory MP James Bezan tabled a private member’s bill to target those responsible for “gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”
The bill follows a unanimous motioned in the House of Commons that was passed last March, aimed at tightening sanctions on Russia. The Harper government had said it would follow up with new legislation, but was defeated a few months later. The Liberals and NDP said they would do the same. However, the Trudeau government has yet to put Magnitsky sanctions on the agenda.
“Canada has expressed deep concern about the tragic Magnitsky case,” said a statement from Foreign Affairs spokeswoman, Chantal Gagnon. “We have reviewed the U.S. Magnitsky Act, and are carefully considering options.”
At a news conference in Ottawa Thursday, Bezan said his bill would “make sure that all violators of human rights are held accountable for their actions,” adding it would be broad enough to “quickly sanction individuals that are responsible for events like the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.”
Bill C-267, Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, (Sergei Magnitsky Law) would amend the earlier Special Economic Measures Act. It would be similar to a law passed by the U.S. Congress, which led to escalating acrimony from Russia, which denies any involvement in Magnitsky’s death.
The 37-year-old Russian tax lawyer died in prison in 2009 after uncovering and denouncing a massive tax fraud scheme involving Hermitage Capital Management, the company of his employer, Bill Browder, who has spearheaded a worldwide campaign for sanctions against the alleged perpetrators.
“Canada has made clear the unacceptable behaviour by Russia on many fronts and will continue to defend and promote human rights issues,” Gagnon said, pointing out that the Special Economic Measures Act is now under review.
A Russian investigation turned up evidence that Magnitsky had been tortured during detention, and his death followed a severe beating by prison guards while he was seriously ill with ailments for which he was denied treatment. The authorities later subjected the dead man to a bizarre posthumous trial and convicted him of the fraud he sought to expose. Browder was also charged in absentia and sentenced to nine years.
“The Magnitsky Act is something that the current government promised, the past government approved and is a totally non-partisan moral issue supported by the Canadian public,” Browder said from Ottawa on Friday. “We haven’t got any assurance that the government will do this on their own, so this will force the issue in parliament.”
A similar bill was tabled in the Sen- ate by Liberal Raynell Andreychuk.
In Toronto, former interim Liberal leader Bob Rae said the bills would “send a clear message” to people responsible for “egregious human rights” violations.
“Explanations and stories concocted by (President Vladimir) Putin and his government are implausible, to say the least. They should not be given any credit. We have to call people on these things.”
However, it is doubtful that a private member’s bill would pass without solid government backing. In the European Parliament, four motions have urged member countries to adopt a similar law, but without success. In Britain, an amendment meant as a stepping stone to the law was defeated on grounds that it could “undermine international relations and foreign policy objectives.”
The Trudeau government is debating re-engagement with Russia, after relations hit a low point over the annexation of Crimea and war in eastern Ukraine.
But, Rae said, “it would be a terrible mistake to confuse engagement with some kind of appeasement. The key thing to remember is that engagement — whether with Russia, Iran, China or Saudi Arabia — should never prevent Canada from taking legitimate steps on human rights abuses in those countries.”