Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on the Obama Administration’s sanctioning of 12 Russians under the Magnitsky Act:    

“Today’s announcement by the Administration that it has sanctioned 12 Russian individuals is a long-overdue step in fulfilling the Magnitsky Act’s requirements.  This action is a welcome demonstration that the U.S. remains committed to defending human rights in Russia and to ensuring that those connected to the murder of Sergei Magnitsky are brought to justice.  We must make certain that Russia’s leaders understand that the U.S. not only will oppose their aggression against other countries, but also against the Russian people.”

Note:  The Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, enacted in 2012, allows the United States to designate individuals connected to or who profited from Magnitsky’s detention, abuse, and death. The Magnitsky Act allows the United States to designate people responsible for gross human rights violations against individuals seeking to expose illegal activity by Russian officials, or seeking to obtain, exercise, defend, or promote internationally recognized human rights and freedoms in Russia.

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