U.S. Congress votes to apply Magnitsky human rights act globally
Source: Reuters
Legislation expanding the 2012 U.S. Magnitsky human rights act from Russian citizens to cover abusers in any country passed the U.S. Senate on Thursday as part of an annual defense policy bill, leaving the landmark measure on the verge of becoming law.
The legislation was included in the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, setting policy for the Department of Defense, despite the recent election of Republican Donald Trump as the U.S. president.
Trump has signaled a softer line against Russia, which vehemently opposes the original Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, and its expansion.
The Magnitsky Act imposed visa bans and asset freezes on Russian officials linked to the 2009 death in prison of Sergei Magnitsky, a 37-year-old Russian whistleblower.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-rights-congress-magnitsky-idUSKBN13X2AH
POLITICS | Thu Dec 8, 2016 | 1:35pm EST
By Patricia Zengerle | WASHINGTON
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