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HR 624 114th Congress House International Affairs 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 United Nations Visas and passports War and emergency powers

Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act

Introduced: January 30, 2015 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 17, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
Feb 11, 2015
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
Feb 3, 2015
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E151)
Jan 30, 2015
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 30, 2015
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act

Directs 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, especially those persons 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 (or senior associate of such 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:

  • waive their application, with prior congressional notification, if in U.S. national security interests; and
  • 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.

Directs the Comptroller General to assess for Congress: (1) the process to determine whether a foreign person has engaged in a sanctionable activity, whether sanctions should be imposed, and whether the identity of a sanctioned foreign person should be classified; and (2) implementation of this Act.

What's happening now March 17, 2015

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4