Ottawa, ON – James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk-Interlake-Eastman, released the following statement after tabling Bill C-219, The Sergei Magnitsky International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Act:
Bill C-219 will rename the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) to the Sergei Magnitsky Global Sanctions Act and ensure we are consistent with our allies in using Magnitsky sanctions to hold individuals and entities to account. The use of Sergei Magnitsky’s name delivers a strong political message against Putin’s brutal dictatorship and his equally corrupt allies.
“I am pleased to table my Private Member’s Bill to strengthen Canada’s sanctions regime to better align with ally countries through the imposition of economic measures and visa bans for immediate family members, change the name of SEMA, and provide a mechanism to remove broadcast licenses from sanctioned entities,” said MP Bezan.
This legislation will also create important reporting mechanisms to ensure Parliamentary and public accountability from the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the use of Canada’s sanctions tools.
“I was proud to be joined in Ottawa today by my friend and global sanctions advocate Bill Browder. He has worked hard with others, including Professor Irwin Cotler, Marcus Kolga, former Liberal MP John McKay, and Brandon Silver, to make Sergei Magnitsky’s name synonymous with standing up for human rights, good governance, and peace and security,” said Bezan.
In 2017, Parliament voted unanimously in favour of the Sergei Magnitsky Law put forward by Senator Raynell Andreychuk and MP Bezan to hold gross human rights violators and corrupt foreign officials to account.
“To date, the tools provided by this legislation have been largely collecting dust,” said Bezan. “I look forward to this legislation coming up for second reading soon and working with my colleagues from all parties to honour Sergei Magnitsky’s legacy of standing up for human rights, fighting corruption, and holding accountable those responsible.”