The Global Magnitsky Act

This is a collection of the Global Magnitsky Act Statutes with a very concise overview of some of the questions that arise as the act takes effect. The text provides a basic reference point and is not a critical review of the Act or a citation or discussion of the cases to date. The Magnitsky act was initially passed in the United States to deter individuals associated with alleged human rights violations. It does not aportion culpability. The US state department has deployed the act against specific individuals all over the world. ‘Sergei Magnitsky was a lawyer who claimed to have uncovered large-alleged nefarious activity. ‘While working for Hermitage Capital, a firm based in London and run by the US-born financier Bill Browder. He is stated to have lost his life in 2009 in jail.’ Bill Browder started a campaign to have sanctions imposed on the officials involved — to get the officials banned from visiting the US and using the US financial system. A Magnitsky Act naming the person involved was passed by the US Congress in 2012 and was later broadened to become the Global Magnitsky Act, applying to gross human rights abusers anywhere. Other countries, including Canada, Lithuania and Estonia have introduced their own versions of the legislation.