Stop the Untouchables. Justice for Sergei Magnitsky.

Russia Must Be Held Accountable for its Human Rights Violations, Ros-Lehtinen Says

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, made the following statement today in support of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act which has been incorporated as Title IV into H.R. 6156, the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012. The bill passed the House by a vote of 365-43. Floor statement by Ros-Lehtinen:

“I plan to vote for this bill, H.R. 6156, even though I remain strongly opposed to granting Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations, or PNTR, at this time. I would like to explain the reasons why. Those who argue for granting Russia PNTR, which has until now been prevented by what is known as the Jackson-Vanik amendment, focus on the supposed bilateral trade benefits. But the issue that concerns me and many Members is not trade but human rights.

“Advocates of repeal say that the Jackson-Vanik amendment is outdated and purely symbolic and therefore should be disregarded. But in the area of human rights, symbols can have a very great importance. Over the years, Jackson-Vanik has become a sign of the continuing U.S. commitment to human rights in Russia and elsewhere. Repealing the amendment could very well be interpreted as an indication that our commitment is now weakening.