Posts Tagged ‘david lidington’

18
April 2013

No UK ban for Russian suspects

Daily Express

David Lidington said it was the long -running policy of the Government to deny entry to individuals believed to be responsible for human rights abuses.

But challenged by the Tory benches in the Commons to commit to following the United States’ lead in creating a Magnitsky Act and barring named individuals from entry, the Minister declined.

Under the Magnitsky Act, signed into law by President Obama last year, American officials last week named and barred 18 Russian government officials from the US. The Russians responded with a list of their own.

Speaking at an adjournment debate in the Commons, Mr Lidington said the case was “deeply troubling” and of great concern.

But he told MPs: “I’m afraid we have to conclude from what has happened in recent weeks in Russia is there is no evidence to suggest the passage of the act in the United States has brought any closer or is likely to bring any closer the outcome all of us wish to see – which is justice for Mr Magnitsky’s family and a thorough, above board investigation into his death.

“Altering our own fair and long established practice of entry requirements for foreign nationals seeking to come to the UK is unlikely either to contribute to achieving justice for Mr Magnitsky.”

Mr Lidington said the presence of “credible evidence” allowed people to be denied entry under current rules.

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19
December 2011

British Parliament Questions

Hansard

14 Dec 2011 : Column 772W

Sergei Magnitsky

Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has given any consideration to bringing forward proposals similar to the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act proposed in the US Congress. [86072]

Mr Lidington: We are aware of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act, introduced to the U.S Congress in 2011, which if passed, would see sanctions imposed on Russian officials allegedly responsible for the detention, abuse, or death of Sergei Magnitsky.

The Immigration Rules enable us to refuse a visa where, for example, information on an individual’s character, conduct or associations makes entry to the UK undesirable. However, the UK has a long established practice of not commenting routinely on individual visa cases.

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