Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act

Bill: 113-s-1933
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2014-01-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Congressional oversight
Department of the Treasury
Foreign property
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
Sanctions
Visas and passports
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2014-01-15
text: 
Global Human Rights Accountability Act - Directs the President to submit to Congress a list of each foreign person or entity that the President determines is responsible, or acted as an agent, for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals in any foreign country seeking to expose illegal activity carried out by government officials, or to obtain, exercise, or promote internationally recognized human rights and freedoms. 
 
Makes a listed foreign person ineligible to enter or be admitted to the United States. Requires revocation of any visa issued for such person. Authorizes the Secretary of State to waive such prohibition if in the U.S. national security interest or if necessary for compliance with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters. Requires congressional notification of any such waiver.
 
Directs the President to exercise all powers granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to freeze and prohibit all transactions in all property and interests in property of a listed foreign person if such property and interests in property are in the United States, come within the United States, or are or come within the possession or control of a U.S. person. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to waive this requirement if: (1) in U.S. national security interests, and (2) the Secretary provides Congress with notice and justification for such waiver.

action_date: 2014-06-26
text: 
Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act - Authorizes the President to impose U.S. entry and property sanctions against any foreign person (or entity) who: 
 
 
is responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of internationally recognized human rights committed against individuals in any foreign country seeking to expose illegal activity carried out by government officials, or to obtain, exercise, or promote human rights and freedoms; 
 
acted as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign person in such activities; 
 
is a government official responsible for, or complicit in, ordering or otherwise directing acts of significant corruption or the facilitation or transfer of the proceeds of corruption to foreign jurisdictions; or 
 
has materially assisted or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, such activities. 

 
 Prescribes related penalties.

 
Authorizes the President, with regard to such sanctions, to: (1) waive their application, with prior congressional notification, if in U.S. national security interests; and (2) terminate them under specified conditions. 
 
 States that sanctions shall not apply if necessary to comply with the Agreement between the United Nations (U.N.) and the United States regarding the U.N. Headquarters, or other applicable international obligations of the United States. 
 
Directs the President to report to Congress annually regarding each foreign person sanctioned, the type of sanctions imposed, and the reason for their imposition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-26
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 449.
action_date: 2014-06-26
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 113-203.
action_date: 2014-06-26
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 113-203.
action_date: 2014-06-24
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2014-02-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S943-944)
action_date: 2014-01-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2014-01-15
text: Introduced in Senate