Ending Impunity for Violators of Human Rights – The Magnitsky Acts: Understanding the Magnitsky Act: Origins, Provisions, and Global Impact

The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) and the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) are organising a special series of webinars to build awareness of human rights. This webinar is the first in a series to introduce participants to the Magnitsky Acts, and their potential to end the impunity of those responsible for committing human rights violations, to deter violators, to offer a sense of justice to victims and their families, and to be a tool for campaigners.

Magnitsky Acts have been passed by legislators in the USA, Europe, Canada and Australia. They offer the possibility that individuals and corporations can be held accountable for corruption and violations of human rights, even when these violations or corrupt acts take place in other jurisdictions. Unlike previous sanctions regimes they are highly targeted. For human rights advocates and organisations the Magnitsky Acts provide new tools for seeking accountability and action to end violations and acts of corruption.

This webinar introduces the history and key provisions of the Magnitsky Acts, including in Australia, exploring its origins and development with two speakers, Bill Browder and Vadim Kleiner, and moderator Anton Moiseienko.

Speakers

Bill Browder is the leading figure behind the adoption of the Magnitsky Acts internationally. He is the Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, and an author.
Bill had a close relationship with Sergei Magnitsky and continues to push for international justice for his killing in custody. His work has resulted in Magnitsky Acts in multiple international jurisdictions, including the US, Canada, Baltic states, European Union, Australia, and New Zealand. Bill is still working towards the introduction of legislation in other states, including Japan and Ukraine.

Vadim Kleiner is the Chief Investigator for the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign and the Director of Research at Hermitage Capital Management. Vadim heads multiple criminal investigations with international law enforcement to shut down money laundering and financial crime. He worked in business for over 12 years, and currently leads investigations into money laundering and financial crime, as well as contributing to global journalism on these issues.

Moderator

Anton Moiseienko is a Senior Lecturer and Research Director at the Australian National University in the Faculty of Law. He focuses on financial crime, including money laundering, terrorist financing, and the legal and policy aspects of economic sanctions. Anton has been published in many leading journals, and has given testimony to a number of Australian and International policy committees to advise on policy responses to global financial crime.

Introductions

Introductions will be made by Jasmina Bajraktarevic-Hayward, Community Services Coordinator, NSW STARTTS.