Connect with us

Video

#SOTEU - Von der Leyen will propose a European #MagnitskyAct

SHARE:

Published

on

In today’s (16 September) ‘State of the European Union’ address to the European Parliament, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called for a European Magnitsky act.

The European Parliament has called for a Magnitsky act for some time. The act would allow a sanctions regime to be established at the EU level to impose asset freezes and visa bans on individuals involved in grave human rights violations. The EU’s Foreign Affairs Ministers started discussing how this could be done in detail in December 2019. The Parliament insists that the list should include state and non-state actors who have contributed, physically, financially or through acts of systemic corruption, to abuse and crimes.

At one point ministers seemed reluctant to refer to the act as a ‘Magnitsky’ act, but MEPs have long argued that Sergei Magnitsky’s illegal treatment and death inspired the campaign led by Bill Browder to tackle human rights abuses more effectively should bear his name. Much needs to be discussed including the criteria used and enforcement. MEPs have always argued that the new regime would strengthen the EU’s role as a global human rights actor.

Von der Leyen said that this was an important measure to ‘complete our toolbox’. The question of sanctions has come under particular scrutiny with the recognition that sanctions are needed following the Belarussian detentions and human rights violations.

Von der Leyen argues that Europe is too slow to react and said that the EU should have the courage to move to qualified majority voting, at least on human rights and sanctions implementation.

Belarus

Advertisement

Von der Leyen said that Europeans had been moved by the immense courage of those peacefully gathering in Indepedence Square and taking part in the Women's March. The president of the Commission said that the European Union is on the side of the people of Belarus. She condemned the brutal crackdown on demonstrators and said that Belarussians must be able to decide their future for themselves through free and fair elections. She added pointedly at Russian interference: “They're not pieces on someone else's chessboard.”

Share this article:

Advertisement

Trending