Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Tamsin Metelerkamp
Published on 2024-03-14 10:50:34
The Global Magnitsky Act was passed by the US in 2016, allowing the government to sanction foreign government officials who are human rights offenders, freeze their assets, and ban them from entering the US. Over 30 countries have adopted some form of Magnitsky mechanism, but South Africa is not one of them.
Bill Browder, the CEO of Hermitage Capital Management and the driving force behind the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, expressed his hope during a video address at the Daily Maverick’s The Gathering Twenty Twenty Four, that South Africa would adopt a Magnitsky Act in the near future. Browder’s involvement in advocating for human rights stems from the murder of his lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, in Russian police custody, after uncovering a massive corruption scheme.
Unable to find justice for Magnitsky’s death in Russia, Browder conceptualized the idea of freezing assets and banning foreign travel for those responsible for Magnitsky’s murder. This concept became the Magnitsky Act, first passed in the US Senate in 2012 and later expanded to encompass human rights offenders globally. The introduction of the Global Magnitsky Act prompted other countries to replicate the legislation.
Browder acknowledged that some individuals in the South African government have close ties to Russia, a connection he deemed shameful. He urged politicians to prioritize passing a Magnitsky Act as a step toward accountability and away from corruption.
The Daily Maverick’s editor, Branko Brkic, emphasized the importance of adopting the Magnitsky law, which allows for swift responses to human rights abuses and corruption worldwide. He highlighted that promoting accountability and combating human rights abuses should be a global effort, aligning with the principles of the South African Constitution.
South Africa’s current greylisting in the global financial system is linked to issues like inaccurate beneficial ownership information, inadequate money laundering investigations, and low-quality asset recovery efforts, all of which are addressed by the Magnitsky Act. Brkic stressed the urgency for South Africa to address these issues by early 2025 to avoid repercussions and to demonstrate a commitment to competent governance.
The call to pass the Global Magnitsky Act in South Africa is not just about legislation; it is about upholding human rights, fighting corruption, and holding perpetrators accountable. By adopting the Magnitsky Act, South Africa can join the global effort to promote transparency and prevent human rights abuses and corruption. It is time for South Africa to take a stand and take action to strengthen its position on human rights and international justice.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
