US Senate 2016 Budget Resolution Includes Provision to Expand Magnitsky Act

US Senator Ben Cardin said that the 2016 US Senate Budget Resolution passed on Friday includes an amendment to the Magnitsky Act that would advance inter-agency collaboration to identify and sanction foreign citizens for corruption or human rights abuses.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The 2016 US Senate Budget Resolution passed on Friday includes an amendment to the Magnitsky Act that would advance inter-agency collaboration to identify and sanction foreign citizens for corruption or human rights abuses, US Senator Ben Cardin said in a statement on Monday.

“The Wicker-Cardin amendment would expedite interagency cooperation to identify additional foreign nationals subject to sanctions,” Cardin stated. “It would also impose sanctions on foreign persons responsible for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights or significant acts of corruption.”

In December 2012, the US Senate passed the Magnitsky Act, which allowed Washington to deny visas and freeze the assets of Russian officials allegedly involved in the death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. There are currently 34 names on the list.

Magnitsky died in a pre-trial detention centre after almost a year after he was accused of conspiracy and abatement in serious company tax evasion by a group of individuals.

The amendment by Cardin and US Senator Roger Wicker would expand the Magnitsky Act sanctions on the individuals’ financial activities and travel.

Russia has responded to the Magnitsky Act by issuing its own list, which includes US officials linked to human rights violations at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.